DSP News Release:  Claymont Woman Charged in Salon Robbery

Location: 

• 1700 block Marsh Road Wilmington, De

DATE and TIME:  

• Thursday May 19, 2011 3:55 pm

Victim(s):

• Good Hair Days Salon
• 54 year old Wilmington Woman

Defendant(s) Charge(s) and Bond Information:

·         Crystal E. Merritt-38 Claymont, De

·         Robbery First Degree

·         Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute $10,000 secured bond

Resume:

Wilmington (Marsh Road)-Delaware State Police on Thursday May 19^th responded to a robbery complaint in the 1700 block of Marsh Road Wilmington Delaware.  The robbery happened at “Good Hair Days Salon” around 3:55 Thursday afternoon. 

State Police detectives were advised that a female entered Good Hair Days Salon and requested a hair appointment.  The suspect later identified as Crystal E. Merritt of Claymont Delaware exited the business supposedly to obtain money. 

When Merritt returned to the salon she contacted the 54 year old salon employee stating her boyfriend was in the car and was going to rob the establishment.  The 54 year old victim fearing for her safety fled the salon. 

The salon employee later returned to the store and discovered that the cash register had been emptied of an undisclosed amount of money.  

State Police detectives during their investigation contacted witnesses, one of which observed Merritt fleeing in a Silver Dodge Neon.  The witness obtained the registration information and provided it to detectives on scene. 

As a result of a follow up investigation, detectives were able to establish Merritt as committing the robbery and fleeing in the Dodge Neon. 

On Friday May 20^th the Wilmington Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Merritt’s Dodge Neon in the area of 4^th and Broom Streets.  Wilmington Police Officers took Merritt into custody because of the active robbery warrant as well as multiple court capiases for driving offenses. 

Merritt was later turned over to State Police detectives who arrested her on 1 count of Robbery First Degree.  Merritt following arraignment was remanded to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute on $10,000 secured bond.