Two arrested after an attempted robbery

10:50 a.m., Oct. 27, 2003--About 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, a UD student was accosted by two teenage males in the walkway next to Alison Hall. He was riding his bike when they stopped him and indicated they were doing a church survey.

When he stopped, they demanded he empty his pockets, and he told them all he had was his cell phone. He tried to ride away, but one of the teenagers blocked his path. The student offered his bike to the two males and then walked away, keeping his cell phone.

The student then returned to his residence hall, contacted some friends and called 911. The responding UD officer got a description of the assailants and broadcast it.

A few minutes later, the two suspects were observed by the Newark Police in the 7-11 on Delaware Avenue. They were taken into custody, and the student was able to positively identify them.

Both suspects--one from Wilmington and the other from New Castle--were charged with attempted robbery and conspiracy and were committed early Monday morning to a juvenile detention facility in lieu of bond.

The student was not injured.

“The timely reporting of this incident along with a detailed description of the suspects furnished by the victim and witnesses, coupled with the cooperation between UD and Newark Police, resulted in the apprehension of those responsible,” Lawrence O. Thornton, director of public safety at UD, said. “The student also showed good judgment in this situation by offering to give up his bike. Possessions can always be replaced.”

Newark Police also are investigating the reported robbery of two nonstudents that occurred around 1 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, off Wyoming Road. Two young men were approached from behind by two men with knives, who demanded their money and cell phones. Both victims complied, and neither was hurt. The robbers fled on foot to Scholar Drive, where they got into an older model Ford Explorer with Delaware license plates. Anyone with information should contact the Newark Police at 366-7120 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333.

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