NEW INFO: 3 Women in Their 60’s Charged in Rehoboth Tow Rage Incident

Update (Thur., August 30): State police have announced that three women have been charged the following day after a towing dispute involving Coastal Towing last Saturday night outside of Rehoboth.

According to MCpl. Melissa E. Jaffe, state police spokeswoman, the incident occurred at 37169 Rehoboth Avenue-Extended, Henlopen Square, when troopers were dispatched to the area for disorderly subjects.

Image courtesy WGMD/Alan Henney.

Upon arrival, she stated, “Troopers learned that Coastal Towing was attempting to remove two illegally parked vehicles from the parking lot of Henlopen Square, that was called in by an employee at Casa DiLeo. Patrons from Murphy’s Beef & Ale went outside and surrounded the tow truck in an effort to stop them from towing this Kia Soul.”

Image courtesy WGMD/Alan Henney

A female was seated in the passenger’s seat of the tow truck when she was confronted by a subject and struck in the face, MCpl. Jaffe said. “The victim did not have any visible injuries and did not request medical attention at the scene, and did not wish to prosecute. The owners of the vehicles paid to have their vehicles released from Coastal Towing,” she said.

It was not until the following day that the victim changed her mind and wanted to press charges, MCpl. Jaffe added.

As a result, police have since charged three women as follows:

• 63-year-old Robin Rohr – offensive touching and disorderly conduct
• 60-year-old Rosann Mattei – assault 3rd and disorderly conduct
• 65-year-old Jeanette F. Shimkus – offensive touching and disorderly conduct

Original story (Sat., August 25): Police were called to the Henlopen Square shopping center on Rehoboth Avenue outside of town around 9:25 p.m. Saturday after a fight erupted while an illegally parked car was being towed. This is the same shopping center where Casa DiLeo, Murph’s Beef & Ale, Java Jukebox, Joe Maggio Realty and several other businesses are located.

Some thought it was a bar brawl. But according to a witness, Coastal Towing had just hooked the Kia Soul which had been parked unoccupied in the yellow zone. As the truck operator attempted to drive off, he was confronted by at least one angry customer. Somebody called 9-1-1 stating that there was a fight and the driver was trying to run over the pedestrian.

State police had no troopers in the area, so Rehoboth Beach police responded. Eventually, state troopers arrived as well. No injuries or arrests were reported.