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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