Update- Suspect Arrested* Delaware State Police Investigating Gym Parking Lot Carjacking
The Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Traesun Johnson of Newark, Delaware for robbery and related charges following a carjacking that occurred outside of a Newark area gym last Sunday.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m., Sunday, May 7, 2023, when a 31-year-old female victim parked her Dodge Durango in the parking lot of the Edge Fitness located at 2800 Fashion Center, Boulevard, Newark. As the victim exited her vehicle with her car keys in hand, an unknown suspect approached her and attempted to grab the keys. There was a physical struggle over the keys, but ultimately the suspect was able to gain control of them after shoving the victim to the ground. After the first suspect entered the driver seat of the Durango, a second suspect then entered the front passenger seat and they fled the area in the stolen vehicle. The victim sustained minor injuries to the upper and lower extremities but refused medical attention at the scene.
Through investigative means, Traesun Johnson was identified as one of the suspects. Yesterday, on May 11, 2023, New Castle County Police were investigating a separate criminal incident involving Traesun and located additional evidence linking him to the robbery. Troopers obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody without incident.
Traesun was transported to the New Castle County Police Department, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Robbery First Degree (Felony)
- Conspiracy Second Degree
Traesun Johnson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $37,000 cash bond.
The second suspect in the robbery has not been identified at this time.
The victim’s vehicle has been located and recovered.
The Delaware State Police report that they are investigating a carjacking that took place in a gym parking lot in the Newark area Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m., Sunday, May 7, 2023, when a 31-year-old female victim parked her Dodge Durango in the parking lot of the Edge Fitness located at 2800 Fashion Center, Boulevard, Newark. As the victim exited her vehicle with her car keys in hand, an unknown suspect approached her and attempted to grab the keys.
Police report that there was a physical struggle over the keys, but ultimately the suspect was able to gain control of them after shoving the victim to the ground. After the first suspect entered the driver seat of the Durango, a second suspect then entered the front passenger seat, and they fled the area in the stolen vehicle.
The victim sustained minor injuries to the upper and lower extremities but refused medical attention at the scene.
The suspects were described as two black males approximately 5’5” tall and wearing all-dark clothing. There are no surveillance images available at this time.
The Troop 2 Robbery Unit is investigating this incident. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Armstrong by calling 302-365-8410. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
