Newark- Delaware State Police have arrested a Maryland man and charged him in connection with a series of robberies which he committed in Newark over the past week.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, Robbery Unit detectives arrested Victor J. Lasanta, 34 of Maryland. He was stopped by troopers in the 200 block of Chapman Road, Newark as he was traveling in a silver minivan. He was taken into custody without incident. Lasanta was transported to Troop 2 where detectives charged him with two counts of Robbery 1st Degree and two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $100,000.00 cash bond. Search warrants were executed at a residence and the silver minivan locating evidence linking Lasanta to the robberies.

The investigation began on Thursday, August 30, 2017, after troopers responded to the first two robberies of businesses located in the Newark area. After multiple interviews and the review of video surveillance footage, troopers were able to determine that the same suspect had committed the robberies of the following businesses:

1. Exxon 4600 Stanton Road, Newark Wednesday August 30, 2017 @ 3:39 p.m.
2. 7 Eleven 699 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark Sunday September 3, 2017 @ 8:58 p.m.
3. Exxon 820 South College Road, Newark September 4, 2017 @ 6:27 p.m.

Investigation continued into a robbery of an Exxon reported on Wednesday August 30, 2017. A white male suspect used a knife to compel the clerk to turn over money before fleeing. A silver minivan was suspected of being used to flee the scene. Through investigative measures detectives developed Victor Lasanta as the suspect.

A second robbery occurred at the 7 Eleven, reported on Sunday September 3, 2017. Again a white male used a knife to compel the clerk to turn over money before fleeing. The suspect fled this time on a bicycle into the adjacent subdivision of Todd Estates. Victor Lasanta was developed as the suspect involved in the robbery. Detectives located Lasanta’s minivan used in the Exxon robbery disabled on the roadway. Lasanta traveled to the minivan by bicycle further confirming suspicion of Lasanta’s involvement in both incidents.

At this time charges are pending for an attempted robbery which occurred on September 4, 2017 at 6:27 p.m. as officers responded to the Exxon located at 820 South College Avenue, Newark, for a robbery in progress in Newark Police Department’s jurisdiction. The clerk reported that the suspect approached him at the counter and presented an item for purchase.  A confrontation between the clerk and the suspect ensued when the suspect attempted to remove cash from the register.  The suspect attempted to remove an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the store in silver minivan.  The clerk received minor scrapes and bruises from his confrontation with the suspect, however refused medical treatment. Detectives had contact with Newark Police and confirmed through investigative means that Lasanta was the suspect involved in the robbery. The charges, Attempted Robbery, Offensive Touching and Criminal Mischief are pending at this time for the Newark Police Department. He is also wanted on traffic charges.

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

Released: 090817 1141

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