6 arrested in boardwalk attacks

Police in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware say the teen suspects beat and robbed victims for “fun”

Rehoboth Beach Chief of Police Keith Banks believes the flurry of attacks and robberies that have occurred this summer at the south end of the boardwalk is over.

“I think we’re done with this,” Banks said. “I think we have everyone.”

Police in the popular Delaware beach community have arrested six teenagers in connection with the string of attacks that happened between July 16 and Aug. 2. The suspects range in age from 15 to 19.

According to Banks, the suspects would allegedly sneak up on their victims, hit them in the back of the head, kick them, go through their pockets and then run away. Banks says there was no real motive, other than “fun.”

“After interviewing them, it just looks like, quite honestly, these were kids and young adults that were out for fun, that it was funny to do it,” he said.

Police say some of the victims were badly beaten, including one who was 74 years old.

“It’s very sad,” Banks said. “When you start doing that and then you think it’s fun, there’s definitely an issue.”

Among those arrested were 19-year-old Dale Reed, and 18-year-olds Michail Brittingham and Shaun Houchens, all of Milton. A 17-year-old from Milton also was arrested, as were a 16-year-old from Lewes and a 15-year-old from Millsboro.

Banks says this type of criminal activity is extremely rare. He says that despite all the visitors and huge crowds, the crime rate in Rehoboth Beach is consistently low.