CLAYMONT, DE — Delaware State Police have arrested a Newark man following an alleged road rage confrontation that escalated into a felony assault Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
According to the Delaware State Police, troopers responded around 3:15 p.m. on January 6 to a reported assault in a parking lot outside Aspira Delaware at 326 Ruthar Drive. Investigators said the incident stemmed from an alleged road rage encounter on Ruthar Drive near Red Mill Road involving 49-year-old James Atkins of Newark and a woman.
Police allege that Atkins followed the woman into the parking lot and blocked the only exit with his truck, preventing her from leaving. Authorities said the woman sought help from nearby school staff before returning to her vehicle, at which point Atkins allegedly pepper-sprayed her and returned to his truck.
Investigators said the woman then followed Atkins to his vehicle, where a second confrontation occurred and Atkins’ truck sustained damage. Troopers later took Atkins into custody without incident.
The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Atkins was taken to Troop 6 and charged with alleged second-degree assault, a felony. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $10,000 cash bond.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations, and Atkins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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