Delaware Police Arrest Man for Armed Robbery

Delaware State Police recently announced charges for a 32-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware after his involvement in an armed robbery that occurred at the Red Roof Inn and Suites earlier in the summer.

According to police, on July 2, 2024, at approximately 3:18 a.m., troopers responded to a call concerning an armed robbery at the Red Roof Inn and Suites, located at 1612 North Dupont Highway in New Castle. The investigation revealed that there were two suspects a male and a female. Police say that the pair entered the hotel and demanded money from the desk clerk. During the robbery attempt, the male suspect jumped over the counter and threatened the clerk with a knife. The clerk complied with the robbers’ demands and the suspects then fled the scene. No one was injured during the incident.

Authorities were able to identify two more suspects involved with the robbery. The suspect who jumped the counter and threatened the clerk with a knife has been charged with the following crimes:

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy (Felony)

The incident is still under investigation.

Analyzing the Robbery charges

 11 DE Code § 832 (2023) defines the crime of Robbery in the First Degree. A person is guilty of Robbery in the First Degree when they commit the crime of Robbery in the Second Degree and then perform one of five actions during the offense. The crime of Robbery in the Second Degree is defined as:

(a) A person is guilty of robbery in the second degree when, in the course of committing theft, the person uses or threatens the immediate use of force upon another person with intent to:

(1) Prevent or overcome resistance to the taking of the property or to the retention thereof immediately after the taking; or

(2) Compel the owner of the property or another person to deliver up the property or to engage in other conduct which aids in the commission of the theft.

Robbery in the Second Degree becomes Robbery in the First Degree when the perpetrator:

(1) Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or

(2) Displays what appears to be a deadly weapon or represents by word or conduct that the person is in possession or control of a deadly weapon; or

(3) Is armed with and uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument; or

(4) Commits said crime against a person who is 65 years of age or older; or

(5) Threatens death upon another.

In the case mentioned above, the robber was armed with a knife at the time of the robbery escalating the offense to Robbery in the First Degree. Robbery in the First Degree is considered a class B felony under Delaware law. A class B felony has a minimum sentence of 2 years and a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Talk to a Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense Lawyer Today 

The Wilmington criminal lawyers at Michael W. Modica represent the interests of individuals who have been charged with serious crimes in Delaware. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your defense strategy immediately.

Source:

dsp.delaware.gov/2024/08/20/one-arrest-made-detectives-seek-publics-help-to-locate-additional-robbery-suspects-at-new-castle-motel/