Mark A. CarterHARTLY, Del.— Delaware State Police have arrested a Smyrna man accused of trying to hold up a Amish couple riding a horse-drawn buggy.
Police said the couple was traveling near the intersection of Holly Island and Bryants Corner roads at around 12:20 p.m. but stopped when a car pulled in front of their horse and buggy. Authorities said the car's driver, 45-year-old Mark A. Carter, jumped out of the vehicle with a handgun and demanded money from the couple.
According to investigators, Carter drove away when the victims were unable to produce any cash. Police said the car's license plate number, obtained by the victims, was given to 911 dispatchers.
A responding trooper saw the suspect's vehicle traveling northbound on Pearsons Corner Road and took Carter into custody. Police said that during a search of the vehicle, Carter was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber handgun and two guitars that had been stolen during a home burglary on West Mount Vernon Street in Smyrna on July 11. Carter was also wanted on outstanding warrants by the Felton and Dover police departments.
Carter was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, second-degree attempted burglary, second-degree burglary, possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, theft of a firearm, two counts of theft under $1,500, and criminal mischief. He was ordered held in the Sussex Correctional Institution on $123,100 cash bond.
