Vehicle taken in Rehoboth carjacking found in Pa.; 2 arrested

Prius carjacked in Rehoboth Beach was recovered by police in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Rehoboth Beach police)
Prius carjacked in Rehoboth Beach was recovered by police in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Rehoboth Beach police)

REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE (8/4/2015) A vehicle carjacked in Rehoboth Beach last week has been recovered in Pennsylvania thanks to GPS tracking and two suspects have been arrested in connection with that crime and the attempted robbery of a 7-Eleven store, city police said today. A third suspect is still being sought.

The carjacking happened about 5 a.m. Thursday as a 58-year-old Maryland man was returning to his blue 2014 Prius from the Starbucks at 301 Rehoboth Ave. The man told police two young males held handguns on him and took the vehicle.

Police said the same two males and a third attempted to rob the 7-Eleven but fled when the female clerk locked herself in an office.

Rehoboth police said GPS data led first to East Coventry and Norristown in Pennsylvnaia before the vehicle was located by Pottstown police Friday and the two suspects arrested after a brief car and foot chase.

Two of five suspects arrested in the car were linked to the Rehoboth robbery try and carjacking, as well as a vehicle break-in, Rehoboth police said.

 

The suspects, identified as Shaolin Hoff, 18, of Pottstown, and Qadir Gardner, 17, of Norristown, remain in custody in Pennsylvania for charges associated with the recovery of the stolen vehicle as well as fugitive warrants for pending charges from Rehoboth Beach police.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Tyler Whitman at 302-227-2577.

Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-847-3333 or www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.