On Saturday (Nov 21), patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the Jalisco Mexican Grocery Store in the Willow Run Shopping Center for a robbery that had just occurred with a weapon.
When the officers arrived, they learned from a witness that a white male entered the store with a bandana over his face, went up to the clerk, stood next to her and pointed a knife at her, according to officials. The subject demanded cash and then left on foot.
Patrol officers canvassed the area without success.
Last Sunday (Nov 29), patrol officers were again dispatched to the Jalisco Mexican Grocery Store for another robbery. On this occasion a white male entered the store, approached the clerk, displayed a knife, demanded cash and then left with the money, said police. Several witnesses followed the suspect on foot and watched him enter a black SUV. One witness followed the suspect to the 1400 block of East Willow Run Drive.
Officers arrived at this address and set up a perimeter encompassing the property. While on the perimeter the officers observed 28-year-old, Steven Strickler leap from a second story window and attempt to run. The officers were able to quickly take him into custody and they then learned that one more person was still inside the residence.
After multiple attempts to contact the person inside were unsuccessful, a search warrant was sworn to, and the New Castle County Division of Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team was assembled. SWAT entered the residence and found 43-year-old Donald Schneider hiding in the attic.
Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police assumed the investigation and both Schneider and Strickler were taken to NCCPD Headquarters and charged.
Steven Strickler was charged with both robberies, which included two counts of felony Robbery First Degree, two counts of felony Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and two counts of Felony Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $84,000 secured bail.
Donald Schneider was charged with one count misdemeanor Resisting Arrest. He was also arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and received a $2000 unsecured bail. However, he was still held reference earlier unrelated charges.
