Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale
Bear- Delaware State Police Robbery Unit detectives have arrested a Newark man and charged him in connection with an armed robbery and an attempted armed robbery which occurred in Bear earlier this week.
The investigation began on Monday, January 9, 2017 at approximately 12:57 p.m., as a male suspect entered the Wawa located at 1605 Pulaski Highway, Bear. The suspect then approached the sales counter and confronted a female employee. He then demanded money from the cash register as he displayed what appeared to be the handle of a handgun that was in his waistband to the clerk. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. He then fled from the business and was last seen exiting the parking lot in a dark colored mini-van. The employee was not injured.
At approximately 7:00 p.m., Troopers responded to the Taco Bell Restaurant, located at 1501 Governor’s Place, Bear, for the report of an attempted robbery that had just occurred. Upon their arrival, it was learned that a male suspect matching the description of the suspect who had robbed the Wawa earlier in the day, had approached the drive through window of the Taco Bell in the same mini-van and presented two female employees with a demand note for cash. The suspect then displayed an unknown make and model handgun and pointed it at the employees. The employees, however, fled to the rear of the restaurant without providing the suspect with any money. The suspect then drove away from the drive through window and fled in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.
A short time later, a Trooper who was checking the surrounding area, observed a mini-van which matched the description of the vehicle used in the two earlier robbery incidents, parked in the lot of Airport Liquors, located at 202 Churchman’s Road, New Castle. Troopers then made contact with the operator, later identified as Joseph L. Potter, 33, of Newark, and took him into custody without incident. Evidence linking Potter to the crimes was located inside of his vehicle.
Joseph Potter was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, 2 counts of Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, and 2 counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $63,000.00 cash bail.
Released: 011317 1045
###