Delaware State Police have arrested three individuals for a series of shoplifting incidents.
Officials said on February 14, 2024, at approximately 1:53 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 1515 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle, for a report of a shoplifting. A short time later at approximately 2:10 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 183 Airport Road, New Castle, for another report of a shoplifting. Both of the shopliftings were reported as an unknown masked black male who jumped behind the sales counter, grabbed cigarettes from the display, and then ran out of the business without rendering payment.
The suspect fled from both businesses in a gray Chrysler 200 with Delaware registration that was occupied by two unknown white females. At approximately 2:17 p.m., a trooper on patrol observed the Chrysler traveling westbound on Pulaski Highway before it parked at the Wawa located at 1605 Pulaski Highway in Bear. The trooper conducted a traffic stop on the Chrysler, and made contact with the driver, identified as Amanda Ensor; the front passenger, identified as Kristina Dorsey; and the rear passenger, later identified as Robert Wheeler. All three were taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 2.
Officials said during the investigation, detectives discovered Wheeler had impersonated a family member by providing their name and date of birth to troopers after he was taken into custody. Detectives ultimately positively identified the rear passenger as Robert Wheeler and discovered he was on probation and had an active warrant for his arrest. Detectives also linked Wheeler to two additional cigarette shopliftings at New Castle County area Wawa locations that occurred on February 6, 2024, and February 12, 2024.
Wheeler was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $29,000 secured bond.
- Theft – Organized Retail Crime (Felony) – 2 counts
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
- Forgery Second Degree (Felony)
- Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 2 counts
- Criminal Impersonation
Dorsey was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on an $3,000 unsecured bond.
- Theft – Organized Retail Crime (Felony) – 2 counts
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Ensor was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution on a $3,000 secured bond.
- Theft – Organized Retail Crime (Felony) – 2 counts
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 2 counts