Bear – Delaware State Police have arrested one adult and three juveniles following the armed robbery of a Bear area pharmacy which occurred yesterday, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said the investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 9:49 a.m. yesterday, Wednesday, August 16, 2016, as three male suspects entered the Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 701 Governors Place.
The suspects, who were all armed with handguns, approached the pharmacy sales counter where they confronted two female employees and demanded prescription medication, according to Hale. The employees complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over and undisclosed amount of medicine to them. The three suspects then fled the store and entered a waiting car, which was being operated by a fourth suspect, later identified as Mark Singleton, 18, of New Castle. The vehicle, a tan Dodge Stratus, then fled the parking lot. The two female employees were not injured and were able to provide a description of the fleeing vehicle and the suspects to responding troopers.
A short time later, troopers conducting a search for the car, observed the Dodge Stratus traveling in a northbound direction on US13 (N. DuPont Highway) just south of Rogers Road, New Castle. A vehicle stop of the Stratus was then attempted, however, Singleton refused to stop, according to Hale. He then led troopers and other responding police agencies on a short vehicle pursuit on northbound US13, added Hale.
The Stratus subsequently exited the roadway in the area of S. Walnut Street south of A Street, Wilmington, where it became disabled when it struck a fire hydrant. All four suspects then fled from the vehicle on foot, but were apprehended a short time later.
Mark Singleton, a 15-year-old, of Newark, a 17-year-old, of Newark, and a 17-year-old of Bear, were all transported to Troop 2 where they were each arrested and charged by detectives with Robbery 1st degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, and Aggravated Menacing. Singleton, who was additionally charged with multiple traffic offenses, was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $15,000.00 secured bail.
The two 17-year-olds were arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center in default of $37,000.00 cash bail.
The 15-year-old was also arraigned at JP Court 2. He was committed to the New Castle County Detention in default of $44,000.00 cash bail.
Submitted Video (Suspect taken into custody at :49 seconds)
Image Credits: Justin Radcliff, Delaware State Police