Latest apartment kidnapping near University of Delaware

What appeared to be the fourth apartment kidnapping in the past month, has now been determined to be a a hoax.

 

This story has been updated as police say the original kidnapping they reported has been determined to be false. Click here for the latest information.

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ORIGINAL STORY, published Monday night, March 13:

Delaware Police are searching for a man who attacked a woman at an apartment complex.

A 24-year-old woman told Newark Police she was approached from behind in the parking lot of the Christina Mill apartments around 8 p.m. Monday night. She said the suspect held a weapon to her back and forced her into her apartment where he stole jewelry before fleeing.

The apartment complex is not far from the University of Delaware campus. The school issued a UD Alert to the campus community, warning students and others of the incident. “Members of our community are reminded to be vigilant,” the alert read. “Be aware of your surroundings and use well-lit paths. Travel in groups when possible,” students were warned.

The suspect is described as a man between 5’4″ and 6′ tall who wore a mask and gloves. Just like the other incidents, Newark Police say this suspect spoke with an “undetermined accent.” They say their investigation is in its earliest stages.

One week ago, a Pike Creek woman told police she was attacked outside the Bluffs Apartments around 6:30 p.m. on March 6. That victim was also forced back into her apartment, but was scared away by another person in the apartment.

New Castle County Police say investigators believe the Bluffs Apartment attacker was also responsible for a pair of apartment attacks on women In February. Those incidents happened Top of the Hill Apartments and the Arundel Apartments.

It’s not immediately clear if the suspect in those attacks is also believed to be behind the latest attack in Newark Monday night.