Glasgow – The Delaware State Police and the Middletown Police Department have arrested a pair of men following a joint investigation into a series of armed robberies which had been occurring in both jurisdictions, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said that on Friday, March 17, 2017, Troopers arrested Brandon C. Dixon, 29, of Middletown, and Darius K. Johns, 26, of Wilmington, immediately after they allegedly committed the armed robbery of the Estectica Y Peluqueria Salon, located at 2105 W. Newport Pike, Wilmington.
The robbery occurred at approximately 8:16 p.m. as both suspects entered the business, displaying firearms while confronting several employees and customers and demanding money from them, according to Hale. The victims complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to them. There were no injuries.
Hale said that the suspects then exited the business and were seen entering a Saturn Ion which was parked in the area. The vehicle then fled in an eastbound direction on West Newport Pike. The Ion was subsequently stopped a short distance away by responding Troopers and both suspects were taken into custody. Evidence linking the two men to the robbery was located inside of the car, added Hale.
Brandon Dixon and Darius Johns were both transported to Troop 2, where after further investigation, detectives from the Delaware State Police and the Middletown Police Department were able to link the pair to a string of robberies (listed below) which had been occurring in the Middletown and Wilmington area, said Hale.
Sino Garden, 749 N. Broad Street, Middletown, January 17, 2017 (Dixon)
Dunkin Donuts, 301 N. Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, January 23, 2017 (Dixon and Johns)
Alondras Bakery, 2307 W. Newport Pike, Wilmington, February 1, 2017 (Dixon)
J&K Liquors, 19 S. Broad Street, Middletown, February 21, 2017 (Johns)
Valero, 38 E. Main Street, Middletown, February 27, 2017 (Dixon)
Burrito Bandito, 227 N. Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, March 4, 2017 (Dixon)
El Navado, 13 N. Broad Street, Middletown, March 9, 2017 (Johns)
Estectica Y Peluqueria Salon, 2105 W. Newport Pike, Wilmington, March 17, 2017 (Dixon and Johns)
Brandon Dixon was arrested by the Delaware State Police and charged with five counts of Robbery 1st degree, four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Previous Felony, four counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Attempted Robbery 2nd Degree, and four counts of Aggravated Menacing. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $382,000.00 cash bail.
Darius Johns was arrested by the Delaware State Police and charged with three counts of Robbery 1st Degree, two counts of Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Aggravated Menacing, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Weapon by a Person Convicted of a Previous Violent Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $180,000.00 cash bail.
An earlier headline read “Two Arrested For Takeover-Style Robbery In Middletown, 7 Other Robberies Linked To Pair” That was incorrect. It was corrected to say”Two Arrested For Takeover-Style Robbery In Wilmington, 7 Other Robberies Linked To Pair”
Image Credits: Delaware State Police