Smyrna Police Department (SPD) investigators have issued arrest warrants in relation to a robbery that occurred.
Officials said on Thursday, February 29th at approximately 1 p.m., concerned citizens in the area of the T-Mobile store located at 245 S Dupont Blvd. contacted SPD dispatch reporting that they believed they had just witnessed two suspects commit a robbery at the store and flee in a vehicle.
These citizens provided a detailed description, and Smyrna Police Officers immediately responded to the area to canvass. With the assistance of T-Mobile Security, officers began tracking the vehicle traveling northbound on SR1 at a high rate of speed.
This vehicle was tracked over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and into the state of New Jersey. Approximately 45 minutes later, the vehicle was observed at a service area in Hamilton Township, New Jersey by members of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).
Members of NJSP took Michael Larbi, 25, of Dover, Delaware, and a 17-year-old juvenile suspect also of Dover, Delaware, into custody without incident. Both suspects were found in possession of stolen proceeds from the incident police said. Further investigation revealed that the suspects entered the T-Mobile store wearing disguises, threatened employees with pepper spray, and removed merchandise and cash before fleeing.
SPD detectives have issued arrest warrants for both suspects with numerous charges related to the robbery. Larbi was lodged in the Mercer County Jail and the juvenile suspect was lodged in the Ocean County detention center. Both suspects will remain in custody pending extradition to the state of Delaware to answer for their charges.