Man Arrested in Wilmington After Shoplifting Incident Escalates to Alleged Robbery

Luis AndinoLuis Andino /Submitted Image

WILMINGTON, DE — A 26-year-old New Castle man faces a serious felony charge following a shoplifting incident that turned into an alleged robbery at a Royal Farms store in Wilmington on Friday afternoon.

The Delaware State Police reported that on March 14, 2025, at approximately 12:07 p.m., troopers responded to a robbery call at Royal Farms on South Market Street. According to investigators, Luis Andino entered the store, took a fountain drink, and concealed merchandise before bypassing the cash registers without paying.

When confronted by a store employee, Andino briefly exited the business but returned shortly after, brandishing a box cutter. During an intense verbal exchange, he allegedly threw the fountain drink at the employee and attempted to leave again, but returned a second time with the weapon in hand. This led to a physical altercation between the two before police arrived on the scene and took Andino into custody without further incident. Authorities confirmed the employee was not injured during the altercation.

Andino was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2, where he was charged with Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a felony offense. Following his arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 2, he was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $25,000 cash bond.

An information, criminal complaint, or arrest does not constitute a determination of guilt. Any suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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