January 10, 2018 – Newark Police Department is investigating
an attempted robbery that occurred on 1/9/2018 at 10:20p.m. at a residence in
the unit block of North Street. Officers responded to the residence after
the victims, three male University of Delaware students ages 20, 20, and 22,
reported a robbery in progress. One of the responding officers observed
three suspects jumping out of a lower level window of the house as he arrived
and engaged in a foot pursuit as the suspects fled. The officer was able
take one of the suspects into custody while he was attempting to hide in a
nearby dumpster. The suspect, John Sarmousakis, was arrested without incident
and was wearing a mask at the time. After conducting a search of the
area, officers were unable to locate the other suspects.
Detectives interviewed the victims, who stated that multiple
suspects entered their residence, possibly through a window, and threatened
them with a handgun. The victims stated that they attempted to flee or
hide as the suspects entered the house and one of the suspects fired a handgun
in their direction. No one was shot or injured and one of the victims was
able to call the police while the suspects were still in the house. The
suspects were described as wearing dark clothes with masks and/or hoods
covering their faces. Crime scene investigators later discovered what is
believed to be a bullet hole inside of the residence. At this time,
nothing has been determined to have been stolen.
Sarmousakis was arrested on the below listed charges and
video arraigned in front of Justice of the Peace Court 11 and given $112,000
cash bail. He was later committed to the New Castle County Detention
Center.
This is an on-going investigation. Anyone with
information regarding this incident should contact Detective Skinner at JSkinner@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100
extension 3135.
Defendant:
Sarmousakis, John K.
17 years old
Newark, DE 19711
Charges:
Home Invasion
Reckless Endanger First Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Attempted First Degree Robbery
Reckless Endanger First Degree
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