Smyrna – Delaware State Police have arrested a 25 year old Smyrna man following the attempted robbery of a Smyrna area gas station that occurred last night, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale
Hale said that the investigation began Thursday, December 29, 2016 at approximately 9:15 p.m., after a male suspect entered the Valero gas station located at 5703 DuPont Parkway, Smyrna. The suspect then approached the sales counter where he confronted a female clerk and declared that he was robbing the business, said Hale.
The suspect did not display a weapon or imply that he was armed. The female clerk fled to the rear of the business without providing the suspect with any money. The suspect then fled from the business in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured.
Hale said that as responding troopers were at the Valero conducting their investigation when they were advised that a male suspect matching the description of the suspect who attempted to rob the business had also just attempted to rob Reba’s Liquors in Smyrna.
Smyrna Police responded to the hold up alarm at Reba’s Liquors, located at 111 E Glenwood Avenue. Employees tripped the holdup alarm, alerting SPD to the incident. Arriving officers observed employees scuffling on the floor with a white male suspect..
SPD said the suspect entered the store armed with a folding knife while wearing a mask and demanded money from the clerk at the register. The clerk and another employee then scuffled with the man over a bag of money that he attempted to remove, according to authorities.
Police said the man was also found to be in possession of illegal prescription narcotics, said police. The suspect was later identified as Phillip Hardin, 25 of Smyrna, according to police. Hardin was taken into custody without incident by Smyrna Police.
SPD investigators charged Hardin with Robbery 1st degree, Wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, Aggravated menacing, 2 counts of Offensive Touching, for the Reba’s Liquors incident, and Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
Mr. Hardin was presented before Justice of the Peace Court #7 where he was committed to the James T Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $32,200 secured bond.
Additionally Delaware State Police charged Phillip Hardin with Attempted Robbery 2nd Degree and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, for the Valero gas station incident. He was arraigned at JP Court 7 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $6000.00 secured bail.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police