Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police have been investigating three kidnappings that occurred from February 2017 to March 2017.
The first kidnapping occurred on February 13th, 2017 at the Top of the Hill Apartment complex. The female victim was abducted at gunpoint from the parking lot of the apartment complex. Physically and sexually assaulted, the victim was then forced to withdraw money from several area ATMs prior to being returned to her apartment complex by the offender and freed.
On February 19th, 2017, at The Arundel Apartment Complex, a female victim was also abducted at gunpoint from the parking lot. She too was sexually and physically assaulted. This victim was also forced to withdraw money from several area ATMs. However, this victim was able to escape from the suspect and run to a local business where 9-1-1 was called.
Then on March 3rd, 2017 at The Bluffs Apartment Complex, another female victim was approached by the suspect in a common area in the complex. The suspect approached her and displayed a gun. He then forced her to her apartment and made her enter the residence. The victim’s boyfriend who was home at the time confronted the suspect which caused him (the suspect) to flee.
Detectives believed that the same suspect was responsible for all three incidents.
During the course of the ensuing investigation, the New Castle County Police collaborated with multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Numerous tips were also received from the public. These efforts coupled with various investigative techniques identified 47-year-old Kwesi Hudson as a potential suspect for all three incidents.
Today (September 24) Detective Charles Levy of the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit testified before a New Castle County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury subsequently indicted Kwesi Hudson, charging him with the following offenses: two counts of felony Kidnapping First Degree, two counts of felony Robbery First Degree, one count of felony Assault First Degree, one count of felony Unlawful Sexual Contact First Degree, one count felony Rape Second Degree, one count felony Burglary First Degree, one count felony Home Invasion, one count felony Aggravated Menacing, two counts of misdemeanor Terroristic Threatening, 1 count of misdemeanor Assault Third Degree, one count felony Attempted Kidnapping Second Degree, and one count Attempted Robbery First Degree.
The New Castle County Police Department would like to thank the citizens of New Castle County for providing many tips as well as the following agencies: Delaware Attorney General’s Office, Delaware Division of Forensic Science, FBI, US Marshal’s Service, Delaware State Police, Wilmington Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Upper Chichester Police Department PA, West Goshen Police Department PA, Media Police Department PA, East Greenwich Police Department NJ, Greenwich Police Department NJ, Woodbury Police Department NJ, Chester County District Attorney’s Office, and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
“Over fifteen months ago our communities were paralyzed by these random attacks that targeted females who resided in our neighborhoods,” stated Col. Vaugn M. Bond, Jr. “the concerns of the community were aligned with ours and we understood that the man responsible had to be apprehended as soon as possible. The lead investigator Det Charles Levy and other detectives worked around the clock for several months until the suspect was identified.
The fact that we have an indictment does not mean that the investigation is over. This is still a very active investigation and we are still asking for anyone from the public with information on this subject and any other crimes being investigated to call us. ”
Kwesi Hudson is currently incarcerated and has been since May 2017 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To define, an indictment is an accusation of guilt and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If you have any information related to this investigation please call The New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800. Citizens can also submit a tip via our website at http://www.nccpd.com. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or visit us on Facebook at New Castle County Police Department. (IM)
Kwesi Hudson
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