Three held at gunpoint in home-invasion robbery

Three people, at least one of whom is a university student, were held up at gunpoint Thursday night in their home in the 100 block of Victoria Court.

At approximately 9:21 p.m., three men armed with handguns entered the victims' residence through an unlocked door, Newark police spokesman Lt. Mark Farrall said. Once inside, the men confronted two of the victims on the first floor. Two of the men then went upstairs and confronted a third victim in a second-floor bedroom.

The gunmen took cell phones, personal computers and wallets before fleeing in a gold Dodge Stratus, Farrall said. The car is believed to have had Pennsylvania tags and been driven by a woman.

One of the victims got in his car and attempted to follow the suspects, but the suspects jumped out and ran away on foot, leaving the driver in the vehicle. The victim then stopped his pursuit.

None of the victims were injured during the incident. Farrall said no motive has been determined.

The first gunman is described as a black man, 18 to 22 years old and wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt. The second is described as a black male, 18 to 22 years old and wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. The third is described as a man, 18 to 22 years old and wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt with a light-colored bandana covering his face. The getaway driver is described as a white woman, 18 to 22 years old with blonde hair.

"The Newark Police Department encourages students to take proactive crime prevention measures including reporting suspicious activity and keeping doors and windows locked even when home," Farrall stated in an email message.

Anyone with additional information should contact Det. Michael Szep at (302) 366-7110, ext. 136 or michael.szep@cj.state.de.us.