Newark – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Newark man for a strong-armed robbery that took place on April 10, 2020, in the parking lot of Royal Farms, located at 1551 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, yesterday morning, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said the incident occurred at approximately 11:21 a.m. as the 71-year-old victim was sitting in her vehicle parked in the rear of Royal Farms parking lot. The defendant later identified as 20-year-old, Knowledge Thomas of Newark, approached the victim’s vehicle on the driver’s side in an attempt to get her to roll down her window. The victim did not comply and Thomas walked to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the unlocked front passenger door, said Pepper. Thomas reached in and grabbed the victim’s purse and a struggle ensued causing an injury to the victim’s upper extremity, added Pepper. Thomas ultimately fled with the purse on foot. The victim refused medical treatment for her injury.
On April 11, 2020, at a little after 10:00 a.m., a Trooper on routine patrol in the area of Royal Farms, observed a subject fitting the description of Thomas’ exiting the subdivision of Sparrow Run on foot. Troopers attempted to make contact with Thomas who fled on foot, according to Pepper. After a brief foot pursuit, Thomas was apprehended and transported to Troop 2 where he was arrested and charged with Robbery 1st Degree (felony) and Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court and was released on $20,100.00 unsecured bond.