A 49-year-old Newark resident faces felony assault charges after allegedly pepper spraying a woman during a road rage confrontation outside a local school. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon when the suspect trapped the victim in a parking lot and attacked her with pepper spray.
Delaware State Police have taken a 49-year-old Newark man into custody on felony assault charges after he allegedly attacked a woman with pepper spray during a Tuesday afternoon road rage encounter.
Police say James Atkins became involved in a traffic dispute with a female driver on Ruthar Drive near Red Mill Road around 3:15 p.m. on January 6, 2026. According to investigators, the confrontation escalated when Atkins pursued the woman into the parking area of Aspira Delaware on Ruthar Drive. Once there, authorities say Atkins positioned his truck to prevent the woman from leaving the lot.
The victim sought assistance from school personnel in the area before returning to her car. At that point, police report that Atkins deployed pepper spray against the woman before retreating to his vehicle. A second altercation ensued when the woman approached Atkins’ truck, resulting in damage to his vehicle.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Atkins at the scene without resistance.
Medical personnel transported the female victim to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Following his arrest, Atkins was processed at Troop 6 headquarters and formally charged with second-degree assault, a felony offense. Justice of the Peace Court 11 conducted his arraignment, and he was subsequently housed at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution under a $10,000 cash bond.
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