Troopers Seek Public’s Assistance in Identifying Assault Suspect – Update

Troopers Seek Public’s Assistance in Identifying Assault Suspect – Update

Lataka Mason

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police have arrested a 39 year old Wilmington woman and charged her in connection with the assault of a customer at the Target Store in Wilmington earlier this month.

The initial investigation began on Thursday, August 4, 2016, after troopers responded to the Target store located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington, for the report of an assault. Upon their arrival, troopers learned that a female suspect had been involved in a verbal altercation with a female customer inside of the store. At one point during the argument, the female suspect obtained a bottle of bleach and proceeded to pour it on the victim's head. The bleach also struck a one year old child that was in the victim's shopping cart. The female suspect then fled the store.

Through multiple tips from the public, troopers were able to positively identify Lataka Mason, 39, of Wilmington, as the suspect. Mason turned herself in at Troop 1, Penny Hill, this morning, Tuesday, August 16, 2016. She was charged with Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Mason was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Delores Baylor Correctional Institution for lack of $25,000.00 secured bail.

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Released: 081616 1400

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**Original Release**

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident in which a female suspect poured bleach on a customer during a verbal altercation at a local department store last week and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying her.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 4, 2016, at approximately 5:49 p.m., as a 24 year old female customer was shopping at the Target store located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington. It was at this time that the victim was approached and confronted by the pictured female suspect who was upset that the victim was blocking the aisle with her shopping cart. The victim proceeded to move her shopping cart to the side in order to allow the suspect to pass. The suspect, however, struck the victim’s cart with a cart that she was pushing. The suspect and the victim then became involved in a verbal altercation during which time the suspect produced a bottle of bleach and proceeded to pour it on the victim’s head. The bleach also struck a one year old child that was in the victim’s shopping cart. The suspect then fled the store and was last seen entering a small white passenger vehicle, accompanied by a male subject.

The 24 year old female victim and the one year old child were transported by ambulance to the Wilmington Hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was described as a black female. She was short in height with a large build, braided hair, and was last seen wearing a black and yellow dress. There is no further physical description available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Corporal Michael Fiore at 302-761-6677. Information may also be provided by callingDelaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DSPNewsroom/ or Twitter athttps://twitter.com/DEStatePolice. To find out more about how to get your community involved in the Nextdoor application, please click on the following link:https://nextdoor.com/.

Released: 081216 1500