New Castle – The Delaware State Police have arrested 18-year-old Steffron X. Watson and 18-year-old Korah Pitts, both of Salem New Jersey, in connection with two armed robberies that occurred within a thirty-minute time frame, Sunday night, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the first robbery occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the Exxon gas station located at 261 S. DuPont Hwy., New Castle. Watson and Pitts entered the business wearing disguises and brandishing handguns and then confronted two employees at the sales counter, according to Austin. Both subjects then immediately vaulted the counter and proceeded to assault the two employees while demanding cash from the register, said Austin. The employees complied with the demand by turning over an undisclosed amount of cash. After obtaining the money the suspects continued to assault the victims before fleeing on foot, added Austin. Both victims sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and were treated an area hospital.
The second robbery occurred at approximately 9:29 p.m., at the Plaza Fuel located at 194 S. DuPont Hwy., in which two masked subjects, again confirmed to be Watson and Pitts entered the business brandishing handguns and proceeded to an unstaffed sales counter, according to Austin. An employee within the business observed the pair as they entered and was able to remain secured in an office, successfully avoiding contact. Austin said Watson and Pitts then proceeded to remove an undisclosed amount of cash from the register along with an unknown quantity of cigarettes before fleeing the business.
Responding Troopers were able to establish a perimeter around the Plaza Fuel location which resulted in the apprehension of both Watson and Pitts who were located in a wooded area adjacent to the business. A further search of the area led to the recovery of a black airsoft handgun that was confirmed to have been used during both robberies, according to Austin.
In the video below you can see the perimeter Troopers set up around the area. (Notice the several patrols vehicles in the lower right)
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[media-credit name=”Pitts” align=”aligncenter” width=”451″]
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Watson and Pitts were taken into custody without incident and then transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where they were both charged with the following:
Robbery 1st Degree (2 counts)
Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree (2 counts)
Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (2 counts)
Theft under $1500.00
Watson and Pitts were arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 before being committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $169,000.00 cash bail each.
Breaking Report
New Castle – Last evening, just before 9:00 Delaware State Police began receiving reports of a robbery at a gas station on Route 13.
Initial reports indicate that ambulance crews and paramedics were also dispatched to the scene.
As Troopers were searching for the suspects they began to receive reports of an additional robbery in the area.
Trooper 4 (Delaware State Police Aviation) circled the area as they assisted the ground units in their search for the suspects.
Two people were taken into custody at around the same time the search was underway but it’s not clear if those arrests were connected to the search.
We will release more information regarding the robberies and the arrest as it becomes available.
Devloping