Troopers Investigate Home Invasion With Serious Assault, Georgetown

Location:
•22000 block of Lewes Georgetown Highway, Georgetown, DE

Date of Occurrence:
•Friday, September 7, 2012 at 11:20 a.m.

Victim:
•39 year old female

Suspect/Suspect Vehicle:
•White male, unknown age, 5’06”-5’08” tall, 175-185 lbs (no further physical or clothing description available)
•Suspect vehicle described as a unknown make/model green pickup truck with a cap (no further description available)

Resume:
Georgetown-The Delaware State Police are investigating a Georgetown home invasion and serious assault that has left a 39 year old female hospitalized.

The incident occurred on Friday, September 7, 2012 at approximately 11:20 a.m. as the 39 year old female resident was inside of her house located in the 22000 block of Lewes Georgetown Highway when she heard someone knocking on her front door. The female victim opened the door and was greeted by the male suspect who was asking if a utility trailer located on the property was for sale. The suspect then grabbed the victim and struck her in the face and forced her into the living room, knocking her to the floor. The violent assault continued as the male suspect continued to strike her and attempted to strangle her. The victim fought back and struggled with the suspect and was able to escape to a bedroom, pushed out a window air conditioning unit, and then climbed out of the window, fleeing to the roadway where she flagged down passing motorists for assistance. The male suspect fled the house on foot and drove away in a vehicle described as an unknown make/model green pickup truck, with a cap.

The female victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and admitted in serious condition from traumatic injuries from the assault.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at Troop 4 at 302-856-5850 Extension #255 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

“Troopers remind the public that the first priority to reducing the risks of becoming a victim of crime, is to become aware of your surroundings and utilize situational awareness when out and about, but also at home. Do not answer the door for strangers, and be on the lookout for suspicious activity in and around your home, to include the neighborhood that you live in. Call the police to reports suspicious activity or something out of the ordinary.”

Troopers offer the below general prevention tips that can be used to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
1. Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times, when you are home. Criminals look for houses with the easiest entry.
2. Secure your home with solid doors and deadbolt locks. The exterior doors should be metal, metal clad or solid wood, not hollow core.
3. Keep exterior of home well lit.
4. Install a peephole so that you can verify who is on the other side of the door. Never open your door to strangers or solicitors.
5. Install a monitored alarm system with a “panic” feature. If you have an alarm system in your home, activate the perimeter doors and windows while you are in the home. If someone attempts to gain entry, the alarm will sound, giving you time to escape.
6. Keep a cellular or cordless phone available to call 911
6. Have an escape plan in mind for your family. Train family members on where to go and what to say. This plan should include your children. If someone can escape, the invaders will have lost their advantage of privacy and time.
7. Report all suspicious activity to police. If you see something out of the ordinary, call.