Delaware State Police arrested a 36-year-old Hockessin man on felony assault and weapons charges after an employee was stabbed at a Wawa early Sunday morning.
Troopers responded to the Wawa at 605 Yorklyn Road in Hockessin at approximately 3 a.m. on August 16, 2026, for a reported stabbing. When troopers arrived, Wawa employees were restraining the suspect, identified as Matthew Ralston. He was taken into custody without incident.
Police said Ralston initially entered the store, made a purchase and went outside, where he remained in the parking lot. A short time later, he allegedly returned to the store, went behind the counter, pulled a knife and threatened an employee while attempting to stab the worker.
According to police, Ralston left the knife on the counter and exited the store before returning again, grabbing the knife and waving it over his head. He left the store again before returning a third time.
Police said Ralston then approached an employee who was calling 911, lunged at her and swung the knife, cutting her hand. Other Wawa employees disarmed and subdued Ralston until troopers arrived.
The employee was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ralston was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 6 and charged with three counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault and aggravated menacing.
Following his arraignment by the Justice of the Peace Court, Ralston was committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $46,000 cash bond.
