Newark carjacking attempt leads to arrest of Baltimore man

A Baltimore man is in custody after attempting to carjack a hotel patron in Newark on Wednesday evening. 

According to Delaware State Police, the incident occurred in the parking lot of the Hilton Hotel at approximately 8:45 p.m. The 28-year-old female victim was standing by her rental car when a man approached her, stated he had a gun, and attempted to force her into the vehicle, a 2014 Ford Fusion.

Police later identified the man later as 20-year-old Datwan Nelson.

The victim, who police are not identifying, fled on foot and was chased by Nelson. Once the victim fell, Nelson struck her head against a curb and dragged her back to the vehicle. Nelson then forced the victim into the driver’s seat of the vehicle, got into the rear of the car, and placed the vehicle in reverse, but the victim jumped out and ran into the hotel.

As hotel staff contacted police, Nelson fled on foot while the car rolled into two parked vehicles.

Troopers, including a canine unit, subsequently conduicted a search of the area for Nelson. During the search, Nelson approached a trooper and surrendered.

Nelson was transported to Troop 6 in Wilmington where he was charged with attempted carjacking, unlawful imprisonment, assault third degree, and three counts of criminal mischief. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $54,000 cash bail.

The victim was treated for minor injuries at Christiana Hospital.