MIDDLETOWN, DE — A 17-year-old male is facing multiple felony charges following an alleged attempted robbery involving a vehicle in the Villages at Fairview Farms neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.
New Castle County Division of Police officers were dispatched at approximately 4:20 p.m. on March 25, 2024, to the unit block of Chancellorsville Circle in response to a reported robbery. Upon arrival, police encountered several individuals restraining a young male on the ground. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene for further investigation.
Authorities determined the incident began when the victims had met the suspect to arrange the sale of a vehicle. During a test drive with the vehicle owner and two other occupants, the suspect allegedly pulled over and revealed what appeared to be a handgun. The suspect reportedly ordered the victims to exit the vehicle.
A struggle ensued between the vehicle owner and the suspect as they exited. The other passengers intervened, assisting the vehicle owner in physically restraining the suspect until officers arrived. Upon further inspection, the weapon was identified as a BB gun.
The suspect was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was formally charged with the following offenses:
- Two felony counts of aggravated menacing.
- One felony count of attempted robbery in the first degree.
After his arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court 11, the 17-year-old was committed to the New Castle County Detention Center. He remains in custody with a secured bail set at $12,000, which he was unable to post.
Authorities have emphasized the presumption of innocence for all suspects unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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