New Castle – The Delaware State Police have arrested 48-year-old Michael D. Edelin of Wilmington in connection with two recent bank robberies, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said on December 5, 2019, a robbery took place at the Citizen’s Bank branch, located within the University Plaza Acme, in which a black male suspect presented a note demanding money while implying he had a weapon. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled. During the course of the subsequent investigation, a brown Buick Enclave was developed as a possible suspect vehicle.
Yesterday, December 18, at approximately 10:23 a.m., a similar robbery took place at the M&T Bank located at 287 Christiana Rd., New Castle in which a black male suspect approached a teller and presented a note demanding cash. The teller complied with the demand and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect who then fled in an unknown direction, said Austin.
Through various investigative leads and measures detectives determined that the Buick was also associated with the second robbery and were then able to positively link it to Edelin.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., on December 18, Troopers took Edelin into custody without incident as he exited a motel room at the Superlodge, located on West Ave. in New Castle. When apprehended Edelin was wearing clothing similar to that worn by the suspect in both robberies. A subsequent search of Edelin’s motel room produced evidence further linking him to both robberies, according to Austin.
Edelin was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with one count each of Robbery 1st degree and Robbery 2nd Degree as well as two counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 and then committed to the Howard r. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $98,000.00 cash bail.