Two Suspects Arrested After Delaware Police Investigate Robbery Attempt
Delaware State Police recently announced the arrest of a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man from Townsend and Wilmington, Delaware. They were charged with multiple felony offenses stemming from a robbery attempt, shooting, and crash investigation that occurred in Townsend in July.
Police say that on July 19 at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Railroad Avenue in Townsend after the report of a robbery. The initial investigation revealed that the two victims had arranged to meet in front of a residence on the 500 block of Railroad Avenue to sell vape pens to an unknown individual they had met through social media. Once they arrived on Railroad Avenue, the victims were waiting in their vehicle when they were approached by two suspects on foot. The suspects entered the vehicle, brandished weapons, and demanded the vape pens and money. In response, one of the victims began honking the vehicle’s horn causing one of the suspects to flee on foot. The second suspect remained inside the vehicle as the driver attempted to escape by driving away. The vehicle proceeded to veer off Railroad Avenue and eventually collided with a utility pole before crashing into a nearby residence.
After the crash, all of the individuals exited the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver pursued the suspects. At this point, one of the suspects fired a shot at him. The suspects then fled the scene in an unknown white vehicle. The 18-year-old passenger was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash.
The suspects have been charged with:
- Attempted Robbery 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
- Reckless Endanger 1st Degree (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
Robbery 1st Degree
11 DE Code § 832 (2023) describes the crime of Robbery 1st Degree. Under the statute, a person is guilty of Robbery in the First Degree when the person commits the crime of Robbery in the Second Degree and when, in the course of the commission of the crime or immediate flight after the crime, the person (or another participant in the crime):
- Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime
- Displays what appears to be a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime
- Is armed with and uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument
- Commits the crime against a person who is 65 years of age or older
- Threatens death upon another individual
Robbery in the First Degree is considered a class B felony. Any individual convicted of Robbery in the First degree must face a mandatory minimum sentence of three years at level V or five years at level V if they have a previous conviction for robbery. The maximum penalty for Robbery in the First Degree is 25 years.
Talk to a Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Michael W. Modica represents the interests of those charged with serious crimes like Robbery in the First Degree. Call our Wilmington criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
dsp.delaware.gov/2024/08/07/update-two-suspects-arrested-delaware-state-police-investigate-attempted-robbery-leading-to-crash/
