The Delaware State Police have arrested Michael J. Wheeler, 39 of Wilmington and charged him in connection with a series of robberies he committed at multiple banks over the past two weeks, according to Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz.
Bratz said in each of the above incidents, Wheeler presented the teller with a note demanding money. While no weapon was displayed, Wheeler did imply he was armed in at least one incident. After obtaining cash the male fled from the bank. There were no injuries. In addition, there were four robberies that had occurred between July 16, 2019, and August 6, 2019, in-out-of state jurisdictions related to the robbery pattern that occurred in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Criminal Investigators with the assistance of the Marshals Task Force apprehended Michael J. Wheeler in the area of Rivers End Drive.
He was taken into custody and transported back to the Troop 2 where detectives charged him with the below-listed charges. Wheeler was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $70,000.00 secured bond.
Robbery First Degree
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
Two Counts of Robbery Second Degree
Robbery Second Degree (Middletown Police Department)
Attempted Robbery Second Degree
The Delaware charges stem from the following:
August 2, 2019, Robbery at the WSFS Bank located at 105 Irish Hill Road, Felton, Delaware
August 5, 2019, Robbery at the M&T Bank located at the 399 East Main, Middletown, Delaware
August 5, 2019, Robbery at the Wells Fargo located at 814 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware
August 8, 2019, Attempted Robbery at the TD Bank located at 2502 Marsh Road, Wilmington, Delaware
