Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have arrested 42-year-old James O. Tillman of New Castle in connection with two recent knifepoint gas station robberies, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said on December 23, 2019, at approximately 10:55 a.m., a robbery occurred at the Exxon gas station located at 5301 Concord Pike in which a male suspect approached an employee at the sales counter while brandishing a knife and demanded money. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing.
On Monday, December 30, 2019, at approximately 6:19 p.m., Troopers again responded to this same Exxon for the report of a robbery involving a knife. During this incident, the suspect, later identified as Tillman, obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and lottery tickets before fleeing, said Austin.
A description of Tillman was provided to responding Troopers. During a search of the area, he was located aboard a DART bus which was at a bus stop located within the Brandywine Town Center. Upon taking Tillman into custody Troopers were able to recover the cash and lottery tickets that were taken during the robbery, said Austin.
A subsequent search by a Delaware State Police K-9 unit, of a wooded area adjacent to the gas station, where Tillman fled after committing the robbery, recovered evidence further linking him to both robberies, added Austin.
Tillman was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with two counts each of Robbery 1st Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony.
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $104,000.00 cash bail.
