DSP News Release:  Pair Arrested in Attempted Robbery

Location:  Arenas, 11791 Village Lane, Lewes, DE

Date of Occurrence:   Thursday November 17, 2011 at approximately 6:15 a.m.

Victim:  Arenas Café

Defendant/Charges/Bond Information:

• Courtney A. Clark, 20 of Rehoboth, DE
• Theft Under $1,000.00
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree
• Falsely Reporting an Incident
• Released on $1,500.00 unsecured bond

Defendant/Charges/Bond Information:

• John R. Hellstern, 25 of Millsboro, DE (Photo Attached)
• Theft Under $1,000.00
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree
• Released on $1, 000.00 unsecured bond on these charges but committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on outstanding capias

Resume:

Lewes, DE- Troopers respond to an early morning robbery at Arena’s Café that turned out to be false.

On Thursday November 17, 2011 at 6:17 a.m., Courtney Clark, 20, called 9-1-1 to report she had been robbed and had locked herself in the bathroom of Arena’s Café.  Clark is an employee of Arena Café located at 11791 Village Lane, The Villages of Five Points, Lewes.  Initially, Clark stated that she had no idea who the suspect was that robbed her, but it was later determined through the investigation that it was actually her boyfriend, John Hellstern, 25.

This incident started when Clark arrived at work shortly before 6:00 a.m. after being dropped off by Hellstern.  While Clark was placing money in the register for the day, a white male then entered the business wearing a disguise and told Clark to hand over the money.  Clark then gave him an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency and the suspect fled out the front door.

The investigation revealed the two suspects had talked about this robbery weeks earlier and Clark knew it was Hellstern that had come into the business this morning.  It was reported to Detective’s that Hellstern was seen leaving the scene in Clark’s vehicle.

No weapon was displayed or threatened in this case.

Both suspects were processed and arraigned for the charges.  Courtney Clark was released on $1,500.00 unsecured bond.  John Hellstern was given a $1,000.00 unsecured bond but was committed to SCI an unrelated capias.

           John R. Hellstern                            Courtney A. Clark

Released Friday November 18, 2011 at 1600