Police: Two Charged In Pistol Whipping Robbery That Hospitalized Victim

Selbyville – The Delaware State Police have arrested 22-year-old Ryan T. Crowson and 22-year-old Tanner C. McElwee, both of Millville, DE in connection with a robbery that left a 25-year-old man hospitalized, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on April 24, 2020, at approximately 10:16 p.m., when a male victim and a female acquaintance reported they were in the area of Washington Avenue and Polly Branch Road. when they were approached by two male suspects who both had their faces concealed with cloth coverings. The suspects demanded money from both subjects and then proceeded to assault the male victim by striking him in the head and face with a handgun, according to Jaffe. The female turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspects who then fled the area on foot. The female drove the male victim to an area hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries. The female victim was not injured as a result of the incident.

The location of the incident was later determined to have occurred in the parking lot at the Hickory Tree Apartments in Selbyville. Jaffee said through further investigations, Troopers identified Crowson and McElwee as suspects. On May 11, 2020, Crowson was taken into custody at the DMV in Georgetown without incident. With the assistance of the Troop 4’s Drug Unit, Governor’s Task Force (GTF), and Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), McElwee was taken into custody near his residence in the unit block of Tributary Lane, Millville without incident. A search was conducted at Crowson’s and McElwee’s residence on Tributary Lane where a handgun was recovered, according to Jaffe.

Crowson and McElwee were transported back to Troop 4 where they were charged with the following:

Ryan T. Crowson:

Robbery First Degree
Conspiracy Second Degree
Crowson was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $22000.00 secured bond.

Tanner C. McElwee:

Robbery First Degree
Assault First Degree
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited Prior Violent Crime or Felony
Aggravated Menacing
Conspiracy Second Degree
McElwee was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $75000.00 cash only bond.

 

 

Original Story

Selbyville – The Delaware State Police are investigating a street robbery that occurred Friday night in Selbyville, which has left a 25-year-old man hospitalized, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.

Austin said the initial investigation has determined that at approximately 10:16 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2020 the male victim and a female acquaintance were in the area of Washington Avenue and Polly Branch Road, when they were approached by two male suspects who both had their faces concealed with cloth coverings.

The suspects demanded money from both subjects and then proceeded to assault the male victim by striking him in the head and face with a handgun. The female turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspects who then fled the area on foot. The female drove the male victim to an area hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries. The female victim was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspects could only be described as being male, 5’’8”-5”10” tall, wearing all dark clothing to include cloth coverings concealing their faces.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective R. Mills of the Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit by calling 302-752-3800.

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