**Update Suspect Arrested**

 Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police Robbery Unit Detectives have arrested a Newark man following a string of robberies he committed in the past two days.

On Saturday, June 16, 2016 Troopers arrested Donald M. West, 34 of Newark, after a vehicle pursuit and charged him in connection with three robberies. The apprehension of West came after a pursuit that initiated in the city of Wilmington and ended in the area of Lark Avenue in Bear.  During the pursuit West operated a black 2001 Toyota Corolla which had been previously reported stolen by the New Castle County Police Department.

In each bank robbery case listed below, Donald M. West approached a bank teller and presented a demand note for cash. The teller complied with his demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. The suspect then exited the bank and fled in an unknown direction. The tellers were not injured. Troopers ultimately linked West to the below bank robberies through interviews and physical evidence collected during follow-up investigations:

July 14, 2016: TD Bank robbery located at 82 Christiana Road New Castle, De.

July 14, 2016: TD Bank robbery located at 1001 E. Songsmith Drive Bear, De.

July 15, 2016: TD Bank robbery located at 2035 Limestone Road Wilmington, De.

West was charged with three counts of Robbery 2nd degree, Felony Resisting Arrest first degree and Disregarding a Police Officer Signal. West was also charged with multiple traffic-related offenses which included Aggressive Driving stemming from this vehicle pursuit in addition to outstanding stolen vehicle warrant from the New Castle County Police Department.  Court and bail information is unavailable at this time. (Mug shot attached)

Released: 071616 1541

*Original Release*

Troopers Seek the Public’s Assistance in Locating Robbery Suspect

New Castle, DE- The Delaware State Police have positively identified the male suspect who robbed a bank yesterday afternoon west of New Castle.

The preliminary investigation determined the incident occurred at approximately 2:32 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 as the suspect entered a TD Bank located at 82 Christiana Road, New Castle, DE. The suspect approached a bank teller and presented a demand note for cash.  The teller complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. The suspect then exited the bank and fled in an unknown direction. The teller was not injured.

Acting on tips from several sources and through further investigative means, robbery unit detectives have positively identified Donald M. West, 34 of Newark, as the man who robbed the TD Bank. The suspect is described as a white male approximately 5’09” tall and 190 lbs. Detectives have obtained warrants charging West with Robbery 2^nd Degree. He is also wanted by New Castle County Police Department for an unrelated unauthorized use of a motor vehicle after he stole a dark grey or black 2001 Toyota Corolla on July 11, 2016. (2010 Mug shot and similar suspect vehicle attached)

Anyone who may know the location of Donald M. West is asked to contact the robbery unit at Troop 2 at 302-365-8566 or Detective J. Paul Doherty at 302-365-8438. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

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Released: 071516 2301

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