A Wilmington man accused of a two-week robbery spree with more than a dozen armed robberies has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by 2 years of probation.
Deputy Attorneys General Timothy Maguire and Colleen Durkin secured the sentence for 42-year-old Chianti Johnson.
In January 2018, police believed Johnson robbed 13 local stores and businesses. Johnson pleaded guilty in September 2018 to 3 counts of Robbery First Degree for the armed hold-ups of the Dollar General, the BP Sure Stop on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, and the Days Inn on the Concord Pike in North Wilmington.
Original Story
Wilmington – Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a Wilmington man, responsible for multiple armed robberies that have occurred in the North Wilmington/Claymont area since December 30th, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin. Austin said the most recent incidents occurred on Friday, January 12, 2018, with two robberies taking place within a 20 minute time frame.
The first robbery occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m., at the Family Dollar store, located at 4331 Governor Printz Blvd., Wilmington, as a black male suspect confronted an employee, as he stood at the sales counter. The suspect revealed a black handgun that was tucked into his waistband and demanded cash, according to Austin. The employee was intent on complying with demand, however at some point during the interaction the suspect fled the store without obtaining any money or other merchandise. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.
The suspect was described as a black male, 30-40 years of age, 5’9”, wearing a red and black hooded sweatshirt, jeans and armed with what was described as an Uzi style handgun.
A second robbery then occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m., at the Dollar General store, located at 2605 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, as a black male suspect entered the business and confronted two employees on the sales floor. The suspect displayed a handgun that was tucked into his waistband and then demanded money from the registers, said Austin. The employees complied with the demand, turning over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect, who then exited the business and fled on foot in an unknown direction. Neither employee was injured as a result of the incident.
The suspect in this incident was described as a black male, 40 years of age, wearing a red and black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, and brown work boots and in possession of a black handgun.
Through various investigative measures, detectives were able to develop a red Chevrolet Impala as a possible suspect vehicle, according to Austin. As the area was being canvassed, subsequent to the second robbery, a red Impala was observed in the area of Marsh Road and Silverside Road. The vehicle proceeded in to the parking lot of the Shoppes of Graylyn, at which time Troopers conducted a traffic stop. The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Chianti L. Johnson, 41, of Wilmington was taken in to custody without incident. Johnson matched the physical description of the suspect in both robberies, with a subsequent search of his person, producing a black, Uzi style, toy gun, according to Austin.
Austin said through further investigation, detectives were able to positively link Johnson to a total of 9 robberies, which have occurred at the below listed businesses in the North Wilmington area, between the dates of December 30, 2017 and January 12, 2018.
Cricket Wireless, 729 Philadelphia Pike (12/30/17)
Gamestop, 3612 Concord Pike (12/31/17)
Auto Zone, 2407 Philadelphia Pike (01/06/18)
BP gas station, 708 Philadelphia Pike (01/07/18)
Days Inn, 5209 Concord Pike (01/07/18)
Wawa, 301 Ridge Road (01/09/18)
Inn at Wilmington, 300 Rocky Run Blvd. (01/10/18)
Family Dollar, 4331 Governor Printz Blvd. (01/12/18)
Dollar General, 2605 Philadelphia Pike (01/12/18)
Johnson was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where he was arrested and formally charged multiple counts of Robbery 1st degree and 1 count of Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, according to Austin. Johnson was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $220,000.00 cash bail.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information regarding these incidents are asked to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8566.
Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com