NEWARK, DE — A 17-year-old Wilmington male is accused of taking part in an armed robbery at the Christiana Mall last month, with police alleging he was the second suspect involved in the violent incident, state police said.
According to the Delaware State Police, troopers responded on March 21, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m. to the parking lot near JCPenney at 606 Christiana Mall for a reported armed robbery.
Police said that during the initial response, troopers located a 17-year-old male matching one suspect’s description. The teen allegedly fled on foot, leading troopers on a chase across multiple lanes of Route 1 before being taken into custody. Authorities reported a loaded handgun was recovered from his waistband.
According to investigators, the robbery occurred as two victims were preparing to enter a vehicle when two suspects approached them. Police allege one suspect, identified as a 17-year-old, displayed a handgun while the second suspect removed property from one victim.
Investigators said the armed suspect allegedly struck one victim, a 47-year-old man from Bridgeville, in the head with a firearm. Police reported the second victim was chased by the armed suspect, who allegedly pointed the firearm at them, but the victim escaped without injury.
Authorities said the injured victim declined medical treatment at the scene.
The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case, and detectives later recovered clothing allegedly discarded by the second suspect following the robbery.
Police reported that during the investigation, the New Castle County Police Department was conducting a separate follow-up investigation into a carjacking at the mall. Detectives later determined that the teen already in custody from that investigation was allegedly in possession of property belonging to the robbery victim.
According to police, investigators confirmed the teen was the second suspect involved in the robbery and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On April 1, 2026, the 17-year-old, who was already in custody at the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, was charged with robbery in the first degree, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, and conspiracy in the second degree, police said.
Authorities reported the teen was arraigned in New Castle County Family Court and remains committed on $115,000 cash bail.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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