NEWARK, DE — A morning knock at a Newark home escalated into an alleged armed robbery on December 20, prompting a swift police response that ended with an arrest and the recovery of both a stolen bicycle and firearms, according to the Newark Police Department.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:20 a.m. to the 200 block of Madison Drive after a resident reported being confronted by a man who allegedly threatened him with a firearm. Police said the victim told officers that the suspect knocked on his door and accused a child living at the residence of stealing his bicycle, pointing to a blue Huffy bicycle on the home’s front deck.
According to police, the victim denied the accusation and began to return inside the residence. At that point, officers allege the suspect lifted his sweatshirt to display the handle of a black handgun and informed the victim that he was taking the bicycle. The suspect then fled the scene in what was described as a dark-colored Toyota Tacoma.
Patrol officers collected video footage from the victim that police said corroborated the account of the incident. Officers conducted a neighborhood canvas and located a dark-colored Toyota Tacoma parked behind a residence in the 100 block of Madison Drive. A man exited the residence and approached the vehicle, at which point officers detained him.
The individual was identified as Justin Bacon, 34, of Newark. Police said Bacon was taken into custody and transported to Newark Police Department headquarters. The Toyota Tacoma was towed to headquarters while officers sought a search warrant.
According to police, the stolen bicycle was recovered at the scene, and a subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two .22-caliber handguns.
Bacon was charged with first-degree robbery, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and two counts of carrying a concealed deadly weapon. He was arraigned and committed on $140,000 cash bail before being transported to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations stemming from a criminal investigation. Any suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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