[media-credit name=”Delaware State Police” align=”aligncenter” width=”1000″]
[/media-credit]
Claymont – Delaware State Police detectives have apprehended two of the three suspects wanted in connection with the January 1, 2018, attempted armed robbery of a taxi cab driver that took place on Philadelphia Pike in the area of Silverside Road, Wilmington, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said through various investigative leads and measures detectives were able to positively identify Justin Hearn, 30, and Douglas Russo, 26, both of Wilmington, as the two previously unidentified suspects involved in the incident. It was also determined that Hearn was the suspect who brandished the knife during the robbery attempt, according to Austin.
A third suspect, Ismael Ramos, 32, of Vineland NJ, who was positively identified at the time of the original incident, remains at large.
On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, Hearn was apprehended by members of the Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension & Registration Unit (SOAR), assisted by members of the U.S. Marshalls Task Force for a sex offender registration violation and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $2000.00 secured bond.
Hearn’s arraignment for Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony and Conspiracy 2nd Degree charges, related to this incident, is pending.
Subsequent to a search warrant being executed at his residence on this same date, Russo was taken into custody without incident. Russo was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2, where he was formally charged with one count each of Attempted Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2ndDegree, before being committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, in lieu of $21,000.00 secured bail.
Original Story
Delaware State Police are investigating the attempted armed robbery of a taxi cab driver that occurred New Years Day, and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the three suspects, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident occurred at approximately 9:06 p.m., Monday, January 1, 2018, in the 2500 block of Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, as the 55-year-old cab driver was transporting three male suspects. While the vehicle was still in transport, the driver asked the suspects, who were all occupying the back seat, how he was going to be paid. At this time, one of the suspects displayed a large knife and demanded money from the driver, according to Austin.
The driver immediately slammed on his brakes, causing the armed suspect to fall forward into the front seat. After coming to a complete stop, all three suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot, eastbound across Philadelphia Pike, without obtaining any money or property. The driver was not injured as a result of the incident.
Through investigative measures Troopers were able to positively identify Ismael Ramos, 32, of Vineland New Jersey, as the suspect who originally called for the cab, and as one of the passengers at the time of the robbery, said Austin.
The suspect who brandished the knife was described as a white male, 30-35 years of age, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, white sneakers, a black winter hat and wearing a backpack. This suspect is pictured above in the full body surveillance photo.
The third suspect was described as a white male, 30-35 years of age, wearing a blue sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.
Active warrants are currently on file charging Ramos with Attempted Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ramos or the identities of the other two suspects are asked to contact Cpl. A. Andres at Troop 2 by calling 302-365-8501.