DSP News Release:  Two Charged in Attempted Bank Robbery

Location:

·         1609 Savannah Road Lewes, DE

DATE and TIME:  

·         January 3, 2011 11:42 a.m.

Victim(s):

·         Employees of County Bank

·         County Bank (Villages of Five Points)

Defendant(s):  

• Jason W. Mitchem-25 Millsboro, DE
• Christopher B. Sands-24 Lewes, DE

Charge(s) and Bond Information:

• Mitchem and Sands each charged with below crimes:
• Attempted Robbery Second Degree
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
• Conspiracy Second Degree
•  Mitchem and Sands incarcerated each on $7000.00 secured bond into Sussex Correctional Institute.

Resume:

Lewes-Delaware State Police Monday January 3, 2011 investigated an attempted robbery at the County Bank located in the Villages of Five Points Lewes Delaware.  The attempted robbery was reported to the 911 Center around 11:42 a.m.

Delaware State Police during the course of the investigated learned that two males were observed sitting in a parked vehicle on an access road in the area of an Arby’s Restaurant Coastal Highway and Savannah Road Lewes. 

An observant witness advised the 911 Center that the two subjects were acting suspicious.  This was later verified as one of the subjects later determined to be Jason W. Mitchem-25 of Millsboro exited the driver’s seat of a vehicle and pulled his hoodie tightly over his face in order to conceal his identity.  The witness observed Mitchem as he walked toward County Bank and peered inside the lobby area.  Mitchem did not immediately enter the bank; however once he attempted to enter through the bank doors was approached by County Bank employees.  The County Bank employees also observed this suspicious activity being demonstrated by Mitchem.  The bank employees advised Mitchem he would have to remove his hoodie prior to entering the bank.  Mitchem then allegedly walked to a teller window, stood for a moment and then walked out of the bank without performing any type of transaction. 

Mitchem then exited the bank and ran to his vehicle.  The witness still on the phone with 911 supplied valuable vehicle and suspect information as the crime was occurring. 

Lewes Police along with Delaware State Troopers responded to the suspect’s location and were able to apprehend Mitchem and Christopher B. Sands prior to them leaving the parking lot.  Jason W. Mitchem25 of Millsboro and Christopher B. Sands-24 of Lewes were taken into custody without incident. 

Delaware State Police subsequently searched the suspect’s vehicle and found a note stating their intentions.  The note located indicated that they had a gun and specified denominations of money desired. 

Delaware State Police charged Mitchem and Sands each with Attempted Robbery Second Degree, Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony and Conspiracy Second Degree.  Mitchem and Sands were both given a $7,000 secured bond and incarcerated into Sussex Correctional Institute. 

Jason W. Mitchem                     Christopher B. Sands