New Castle, DE – Two New Castle residents are facing serious charges after a confrontation at a local Dollar General turned violent on Sunday afternoon.
Matthew Perez, 23, and Veronica Coleman, 27, were arrested after allegedly threatening a store employee with a knife, releasing a dog to attack the victim, and attempting to strike the employee with a vehicle. The altercation occurred at the Dollar General on Dupont Parkway, where Perez and Coleman had been banned due to a prior shoplifting incident.
According to Delaware State Police, the situation escalated when Perez became aggressive and pursued the employee on foot. Coleman allegedly followed in a black Buick sedan, eventually releasing a dog that attacked the employee. Perez, armed with a large knife, continued to threaten the employee as Coleman reportedly attempted to hit them with the vehicle. A 12-year-old bystander was also threatened during the incident but managed to avoid injury.
The employee sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was able to escape back to the store. Both Perez and Coleman were arrested without further incident. They now face multiple charges, including aggravated menacing, and are being held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. The dog involved was turned over to animal control.
