Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Newark- Delaware State Police Robbery Unit detectives have arrested two men and charged them in connection with a series of armed robberies which they had committed beginning in April.

The investigation began on April 22, 2017, after troopers responded to the robbery of the Metro PCS located at 2907 Concord Pike, Wilmington. In the robbery a male suspect entered the business and demanded money and cell phones from a store employee. After the employee complied with the suspect’s demands, he exited the store and fled in an unknown direction.

On May 6, 2017, troopers responded to the armed robbery of the Metro PCS located at 107 Maryland Avenue, Wilmington. They also responded to the armed robbery of the 7-11 located at 1700 Pulaski Highway, Bear, on May 21, 2017. In both incidents, a male suspect matching the description of the suspect who committed the April 22 robbery of the Metro PCS, entered the targeted business and displayed a handgun. He then demanded and received property consisting of cash, cigarettes, and cell phones, before fleeing from the stores.

During the investigation into the three robberies, detectives were able to review surveillance footage as well as examine physical evidence which enabled them to develop Courtney D. Jones, 31, of Newark, and Anwar I. Hackett, 28, of Wilmington, as suspects. A search warrant was then executed at the residence of Courtney Jones at which time evidence linking him to the robberies was located. It was later determined that Courtney Jones drove Anwar Hackett to each robbery and would then wait in the vehicle as Hackett committed the robberies.

On Tuesday July 25, 2017, troopers took Courtney Jones into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged by detectives with 3 counts of Robbery 1st Degree, Robbery 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Conspiracy 1st degree, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $161,000.00 cash bail.

Anwar Hackett was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday, July 26, at a residence located on French Street, Wilmington. He was transported to Troop 2 where he was subsequently charged by Robbery Unit detectives with 3 counts of Robbery 1st degree, Robbery 2nd Degree, Conspiracy 1st Degree, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. He was also arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $125,000.00 cash bail.

Released: 072717 1520

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