NEWARK, DE — New Castle County police are investigating a violent midday robbery at an apartment complex in Newark that authorities say involved masked suspects, a handgun, and shots fired as victims attempted to escape.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, officers responded at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, to the 700 block of Alexandra Drive at the Rockwood Apartment Complex following a report of a robbery.
Officers made contact with four victims who told police they were working in the complex removing snow and were seated inside a company vehicle when two unknown suspects approached. Investigators allege the suspects were both Black males, approximately 20 years old, wearing black ski masks.
Police said one suspect opened the passenger-side door of the vehicle and used a handgun as a blunt object to strike one of the victims before taking personal property. During the encounter, the driver attempted to flee by accelerating the vehicle.
As the vehicle was leaving the area, investigators allege one of the suspects fired a handgun at it, striking the vehicle. Police said none of the occupants were hit by gunfire or injured during the escape.
The suspects were last seen fleeing toward Route 40, according to police. Investigators later recovered the stolen property in the nearby area.
Detectives from the Division’s Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the scene and have assumed control of the investigation. No arrests have been announced, and the suspects have not been identified.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact Detective Watson at (302) 395-8030 or by email at Daniel.Watson@newcastlede.gov. Tips may also be submitted through the New Castle County Police non-emergency line at (302) 573-2800, the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 395-8110, Facebook Messenger via “New Castle County Police,” or anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or online at http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
All alleged criminal activity described remains under investigation. Any suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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