WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington Police have charged three individuals in relation to two armed robbery incidents that occurred in October.
On the evening of October 21, officers from the Uniformed Services Division responded to calls from two locations: the 1100 block of Maryland Avenue and the area of Chestnut and South VanBuren Streets. The calls were regarding two separate armed robberies.
The officers provided a description of the suspect vehicle, which was later spotted by members of the Safe Streets Task Force in the 100 block of Greenhill Avenue. When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled from the scene but was later found in Pennsylvania. Malik Wilson, a 28-year-old male, was apprehended without incident.
Detective Justin Wilkers of the Criminal Investigations Division was assigned to the case. Through his investigation, he identified Luis Ortiz, 35, and Aaron Watson, 24, as additional suspects, and secured warrants for their arrests.
On October 26, Ortiz was arrested without incident during a vehicle stop on the 400 block of North Scott Street. Watson was observed by police on December 6 on the 600 block of North Washington Street. He attempted to flee on foot, discarding a firearm in the process, but was also taken into custody without incident. A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from the scene.
Wilson was extradited to Delaware on November 1 and has been charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and second-degree conspiracy. He was arraigned in New Castle County Superior Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $166,000 cash-only bail.
Ortiz faces similar charges, including three counts of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and second-degree conspiracy. He was arraigned in New Castle County Superior Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $212,000 cash-only bail.
Watson has been charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, second-degree conspiracy, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief under $1,000. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $192,000 cash-only bail.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest does not constitute a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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