NEWARK, DE – A 22-year-old Newark man, Mark Tannen, was arrested on Tuesday, after attempting two separate carjackings within minutes of each other. The first incident occurred on the unit block of East Main Street, where the suspect approached the victim’s vehicle, opened the car door, and tried to forcibly remove the driver. However, the victim managed to fend off the attacker and lock his doors.
Minutes later, an off-duty Newark Police Officer, who was driving an unmarked police vehicle, became the target of Tannen’s second attempted carjacking. The officer identified himself, prompting Tannen to flee. The officer pursued the suspect on foot, and with the help of other officers, Tannen was taken into custody without incident.
Neither victim was injured during the attempted carjackings, and no weapon was displayed. Tannen was transported to Newark Police headquarters and charged with two counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 via video and was ordered to be held in default of $5,000 secured bail. Tannen was subsequently turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.