Four arrested for robberies, assaults

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department, with the assistance of Delaware State Police, has tied four suspects to a recent string of assaults and robberies in downtown Rehoboth.

The state police have incarcerated three of the suspects on unrelated charges. In custody are 18-year-olds Shaun Houchens and Michael Brittingham of Milton and two juveniles - a 16-year-old boy from Lewes and a 15-year-old from Millsboro whose names police did not release. The group is suspected of multiple vehicle thefts and robberies.

On Wednesday, Aug. 4, a state police trooper on routine patrol observed a gray Jeep Cherokee traveling on Route 9. The same trooper had handled the theft of a gray Jeep Cherokee in Lewes just three days prior. The trooper checked the car's registration and found the Jeep was stolen. The driver, Houchens, was arrested, but the Lewes teenager tried to flee on foot.

However, state police aviation was in the area and immediately tracked down the boy and hovered around him until police could take him into custody. Through further investigation, state police linked all four suspects to an attempt to rob a 21-year-old outside Rehoboth.

The 15-year-old Millsboro boy turned himself in at noon, Thursday, Aug. 5, accompanied by his parents and remains in custody.

Houchens and the Lewes teenager were also linked to a string of thefts around Lewes, where they victimized 11 people by entering their vehicles and stealing or attempting to steal their property. They are charged with attempted first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony, vehicle theft, six counts of attempted theft, three counts of second-degree conspiracy, five counts of theft and six counts of third-degree criminal trespassing.

Brittingham has been charged with first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and second-degree conspiracy.

The Millsboro teenager has been charged with first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and second-degree conspiracy.

Houchens is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $118,000 secured bond. Brittingham is also being held at Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $91,000 cash bond. The 16-year-old is being held at Stevenson House Detention Center on $118,000 secured bond. The Millsboro boy is also being held at Stevenson House on $93,000 secured bond.

Brittingham, Houchens and the 16-year-old are also persons of interest in five assaults and robberies or attempted robberies in Rehoboth since July 16. Rehoboth police believe two more individuals could be tied to the recent string of assaults.

Police caught up with the suspects not long after a fifth assault that took place at 10:30 p.m., near the Boardwalk, Monday, Aug. 2.

Rehoboth police Chief Keith Banks said the victim was a 58-year-old Maryland woman walking on St. Lawrence Street near the Boardwalk. The woman was accosted and struck in the face by three black teenagers, who attempted to steal a fanny pack from her before running off.

The assailants were described as being 14 to 18 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing 140 to 160 pounds.

Banks said he had no explanation for the location of the assaults, which have generally been in the same area, except for one, which took place on the north side of town. Banks said there is no indication these are hate crimes.

The first of the five incidents took place July 16, when two teenagers were attacked and beaten. Two days later, a 47-year-old man was attacked from behind and robbed. On July 20, a 74-year-old man was jumped from behind in an attempted robbery and sustained cuts to his head, ear, elbow and knee and a swollen and bloody eye. Finally, a 53-year-old man was attacked and robbed outside his home on Henlopen Avenue.

All the victims described being attacked by two to three black males of slender build, wearing dark-colored clothing and possibly driving a light gray, newer model Chevrolet Impala sedan.

Until all the suspects are arrested, Rehoboth police will continue to have additional patrol officers on the south end of the Boardwalk. Individuals are still asked to be observant of their surroundings and walk in pairs in lighted areas.

Anyone with information on these crimes should contact Cpl. Jaime Riddle at 302-227-2577 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.