Delaware State Police have made an arrest Justin Locke20, and Jeffrey Labarge22, both of Claymont, DE for Assault 1st Degree following an incident last weekend.
On Saturday July 23, 2022, at approximately 11:41 p.m., the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigation Unit began investigating a felony assault at Claymont Auto Repair located in the 3500 block of Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE. Due to the suspicious circumstances of the initial investigation, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit began assisting in the investigation. During this joint investigation, it was determined that three subjects assaulted a 56-year-old Claymont victim in the area of Claymont Auto Repair as the victim was walking southbound on the sidewalk. After the attack, the three attackers left the victim lying motionless on the ground of the parking lot, where the victim stayed for over 25 minutes. A vehicle then pulled into the same parking lot and subjects were observed loading the victim into the back of an SUV. This behavior was witnessed by a passing motorist who called 9-1-1 to report the suspicious activity.
Through various investigative leads, the suspect vehicle and three persons of interest were identified as Justin Locke, Jeffrey Labarge and Tyler Simpson, but there were no immediate reports of an assault victim or missing person. As investigators continued to work the investigation, additional information was obtained that assisted law enforcement in identifying possible areas to search in the Claymont area for the unidentified assault victim. Through these steps, the body of a deceased white male was found on the property of Citisteel USA, located north of the location of the attack. After the victim’s autopsy, the manner of his death was ruled a homicide. At the moment, the identity of the victim is not known.
During the week of July 25th, Delaware State Police apprehended two of the three identified suspects. On July 28, 2022, Justin Lockewas arrested on a charge of Assault 1str Degree, first degree kidnapping and conspiracy 2n.d Diploma, was accused in the Peace Court no. 2 and was committed to Delaware Corrections on $1,00,000 cash bond. Thursday 28 July 2022, Jeffrey Labarge was picked up by Delaware State Police and arrested on a charge of Assault 1ststr Degree, first degree kidnapping and conspiracy 2n.d Diploma, was judged in the Court of Peace no. 11 and was committed to Delaware Corrections on $1,000,000 cash bond.
Locke and Labarge, who are currently in the custody of the Department of Corrections, will be charged with Murder 1str Diploma. Judging information will be forthcoming.
The third suspect, Tyler Simpson22 years old, of Wilmington, DE is still outstanding on charges of Murder 1str Level, Attack 1str Degree, first degree kidnapping and conspiracy 2n.d Diploma.
Delaware State Police would like to ask for the public’s help in locating Tyler Simpson and are warning the public that Simpson should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective McDerby at 302-741-2821. Information can also be provided by sending a Private Message on Facebook to Delaware State Policecontacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or online at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness to a crime or has lost a loved one to an unexpected death and needs help, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to provide you with support and resources 24 hours a day through the toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You can also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected]
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Presented by Public Information Officer Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell
Issued: 080122 1608
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