February 16, 2018 – On February 15, 2018, Matthew Peterson surrendered to Newark Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was processed at the Newark Police Department on the below-listed charges and appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 in New Castle. He was remanded to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in default of $51,000 cash bail.
The original press release follows.
Defendant: Matthew Peterson
Age: 23
Middletown, DE
Charges: Robbery 1st Degree
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
The Newark Police Department affirms that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Original Release:
Arrests Made in Robbery on East Main Street
February 15, 2018 - On Wednesday February 14, 2018 at approximately 1:50 a.m. the Newark Police responded to the area of 46 East Main Street in order to check for a possible assault that had just occurred in the area. Officers were not able to locate anyone in the area at that time. NPD was able to review street level cameras and observed what appeared to be an assault and robbery at that location.
At approximately 1:53 a.m. another NPD officer, unrelated to this incident, conducted a traffic stop of a Jeep Cherokee which was driving down East Main Street at a high rate of speed with no headlights on. The driver, 23-year-old Michael Hunter of Newark, was arrested for DUI, Driving Without Headlights, Driving While Suspended, No Proof of Insurance and Open Container in a Vehicle. There were also two other passengers in the vehicle. They were identified as 23-year-old Matthew Peterson of Middletown and 25-year-old Zachery Hedinger of Bear. The Jeep Cherokee was towed from the traffic stop.
While continuing to conduct the initial investigation, the possible victim’s identification was located in the area of the assault and robbery. Sometime later officers located the victim, a 21-year-old male UD student, in his dorm room with blood coming from his forehead. An ambulance was called and he was transported to Christiana Hospital for the head injury.
Detectives began to investigate the case and upon a detailed review of the surveillance videos in the area, the victim is seen walking out of the 7-11 on East Main Street. He briefly speaks with the three suspects. As the victim walks away, one of the suspects runs up behind the victim and punches him on the side of the head, causing him to immediately fall to the ground unconscious. As the victim was on the ground, the three suspects rummaged through his pockets and appeared to steal some items. The suspects then fled to a parking lot and left the area in a Jeep Cherokee, the same vehicle stopped for the earlier described DUI investigation.
Michael Hunter and Zachery Hedinger were arrested on 2/14/18 when they came into Newark Police Headquarters in order to claim the towed vehicle. Hunter was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was transported to Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $57,000 secured bail. Hedinger was charged with Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was also transported to Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $50,000 secured bail.
Warrants have been obtained for the third suspect, Matthew Peterson, charging him with Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Newark Police.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident should contact Detective Bystricky at DBystricky@newark.de.us or 302-366-710 ext. 3136.
You can send an anonymous text message tip by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com where a reward may be available.
The Newark Police Department affirms that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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