Delaware State Police said the victim was attacked after agreeing to meet an acquaintance who had asked to borrow money and cigarettes.
Delaware State Police are searching for three suspects in a robbery and assault near Clayton.
The incident happened Thursday, Jan. 11 at about 9 p.m., at the parking lot of the former store at Blackiston crossroads, at the intersection of Routes 6 (Millington Road) and 42 (Blackiston Road), west of Clayton.
Earlier on Jan. 11, the victim, a 26-year-old Clayton woman, was contacted by Jessica Elvey, 28, of Kenton, who is an acquaintance.
Elvey asked to borrow money and cigarettes from the victim, and the two agreed to meet at the parking lot of the former Blackiston store.
The victim arrived in the parking lot in her vehicle, with her 4-year-old daughter in the back seat.
A short time later, a black vehicle entered the parking lot and pulled behind the victim's vehicle. The victim saw Elvey, along with two other suspects, identified as Chelsea Roundtree, 26, and Chasity Roundtree, 24, both of Dover, exit the vehicle.
All three suspects approached the victim as she remained seated in her vehicle and began yelling at her, demanding money. The suspects then accessed the victim's vehicle through separate doors and began assaulting her, police said.
At some point during the altercation the victim's purse, which contained an undisclosed amount of cash and other personal items, was taken. After obtaining the purse, all three suspects fled in the vehicle in which they arrived.
The victim suffered contusions to her head and face as a result of the assault; however, she refused medical treatment at the scene. Her daughter was not injured.
Warrants are currently on file, charging all three suspects with one count each of second-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree assault and and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.
Police are asking anyone with information on the location of Elvey or the Roundtree sisters to call Trooper Ramirez at Troop 9 at 302-378-5749 or to call 911.
Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com