NEWARK, DE — A 17-year-old has been charged and a second suspect remains at large following an armed robbery Saturday evening at Christiana Mall, police said.
According to Delaware State Police, troopers responded at approximately 6:45 p.m. to the parking lot near JCPenney at 606 Christiana Mall for a reported armed robbery.
Police reported that responding troopers were given suspect descriptions and located a 17-year-old male matching one of the descriptions. According to investigators, the teen fled on foot and was taken into custody after troopers pursued him across multiple lanes of Route 1. Authorities said a loaded handgun was recovered from his waistband.
The case was assigned to the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit.
According to investigators, two suspects allegedly approached two victims as they were preparing to enter their vehicle. Police said the 17-year-old allegedly displayed a handgun while the second suspect removed property from one victim. Authorities reported the second suspect fled with the victim’s belongings.
Police said the 17-year-old allegedly struck a 47-year-old male victim from Bridgeville in the head with the firearm. According to investigators, the teen then allegedly chased a second victim while pointing the handgun, though that individual was not injured.
Authorities reported the injured victim declined medical treatment at the scene.
Police described the second suspect as a Black male, approximately 20 to 24 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 160 to 170 pounds, last seen wearing a black jacket, dark jeans, and a black face mask. Investigators said the suspect fled in an unknown direction and is believed to be unarmed.
According to police, the 17-year-old was taken to Troop 6, where he was charged with first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under 21, possession of ammunition by a person under 21, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, aggravated menacing, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, second-degree conspiracy, and resisting arrest.
Police reported the juvenile was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families on $55,000 cash bond.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Detective J. Lucyk at (302) 365-8446 or provide tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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