Delaware State Police
News Release

Update Arrest Made in Knife Point Robbery – Suspect Linked to Other Crimes

Released Thursday, January 08, 2009

Rehoboth Beach – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 30-year-old Rehoboth Beach man for robbery and theft related charges after he was observed entering someone’s vehicle looking for property to steal.

On Tuesday, January 6 at approximately 9:46 pm, troopers were dispatched to the parking lot of Staples located at 4575 Coastal Hwy in reference to an attempted theft from a vehicle. The investigation revealed a 22-year-old Millsboro man was returning to his vehicle that was parked in the rear of the Staples store when he observed a male subject inside. The suspect appeared to be rummaging through the contents of the interior.

The victim confronted the suspect, later identified as Michael C. Mangino, who quickly exited the car and fled in a white Ford Explorer bearing a Delaware registration. The victim obtained the license plate number and provided it to police.

A general broadcast was issued to all police officer’s in the area with the suspect vehicle description when a trooper spotted the vehicle traveling on USRT 1 in front of the Staples. A traffic stop was initiated and that is when troopers identified the sole occupant as Mr. Mangino. He was detained while the investigation continued. The victim was able to positively identify him as the person he observed in his car.  The victim also informed an investigator he had an IPOD inside the car and that is where he observed the suspect near.

Once arrested, troopers located a black ski mask with two eyehole cutouts, a stainless steel folding knife and a yellow Carhartt jacket inside the Explorer. This clothing description, along with Mangino’s physical description and the description of the knife, matched the same description as the suspect who committed the robbery of a woman on January 2, 2009 (see below for details on this Robbery).

As a result of the investigation, Mangino was arrested on the following charges: Robbery First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon during Commission of a Felony, Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited, Burglary Third degree, Attempted Theft and three traffic offenses. He was remanded to the Sussex Correctional Center in lieu of a $19,700 secured bond.

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State Police Investigate Robbery

Released Saturday January 3, 2009

Date and Time of Crime: Friday January 2, 2009, 10:18 pm

Location: Coastal Hwy, ½ mile South of CR 270A Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Suspect: unknown male, 5’07” – 5’08”, wearing a yellow jacket and jeans.  No further details

Victim: 19-year-old female of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Resume:  Delaware State Police responded to the Village of Camelot and contacted a 19-year-old female concerning a robbery complaint.  The victim informed police that she was walking to her residence, walking N/B on Coastal Highway on the west side of the roadway.  The victim observed a male cross the highway and began walking toward her.  The victim advised the suspect’s face was covered concealing his identity.  The suspect displayed a knife at the victim and orders the victim to hand over her purse.  After obtaining the purse, the suspect ran toward the rear of the Kentucky Fried Chicken off Coastal Highway.        

The suspect fled with a purse containing an undisclosed amount of cash, bankcards and miscellaneous personal effects. 

State Police canine was summoned and was able to track the suspect's smell to the America Inn parking lot where the track was lost. State Police continue their probe into the robbery.  Anyone with information concerning this incident are asked to contact Troop 7 at 302-644-5020, Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.