Serial blow dart attacker on loose in Delaware

Delaware State Police are investigating four attacks in which bicyclists or joggers have been wounded by blow-darts in Wilmington this week.

One victim will need surgery for damage to his hand.

Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh, a state police spokeman, said the victims were hit by identical 4-inch-long darts.

The series of attacks began about 7:15 p.m. Monday when a 27-year-old woman riding her bicycle on Route 71 in the area of the Red Lion Christian Academy was hit in the lower part of her back with a blow dart, police said.

The woman sought treatement from her primary care doctor.

A little over two hours later, a 17-year-old boy was struck by a blow dart in his left hand while riding his bicycle on Route 40 at Wrangle Hill Road.

He was treated at Christiana Hospital and will require surgery to repair the damage to his hand, police said.

At 10:40 the next morning, a 36-year-old man was riding his bicycle on Route 7 at Ocheltree Lane when a blow dart pierced his leg.

He was treated by his primary care doctor.

Later Tuesday, a 29-year-old woman jogging on Route 7, just north of Route 72, was struck in the calf by a blow dart at about 5 p.m. She, too, sought treatment at her primary care physician.

State police said possible suspect vehicles include a full-size Ford pickup truck, a small white pick up truck, a dark colored pickup truck with two male occupants and a black Mazda 4-door sedan.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.