Wilmington – Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a Wilmington man, responsible for multiple armed robberies that have occurred in the North Wilmington/Claymont area since December 30th. The most recent incidents occurred on Friday, January 12, 2018, with two robberies taking place within a 20 minute time frame.

The first robbery occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m., at the Family Dollar store, located at 4331 Governor Printz Blvd., Wilmington, as a black male suspect confronted an employee, as he stood at the sales counter. The suspect revealed a black handgun that was tucked into his waistband and demanded cash. The employee was intent on complying with demand, however at some point during the interaction the suspect fled the store without obtaining any money or other merchandise. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a black male, 30-40 years of age, 5’9”, wearing a red and black hooded sweatshirt, jeans and armed with what was described as an Uzi style handgun.

A second robbery then occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m., at the Dollar General store, located at 2605 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, as a black male suspect entered the business and confronted two employees on the sales floor. The suspect displayed a handgun that was tucked into his waistband and then demanded money from the registers. The employees complied with the demand, turning over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect, who then exited the business and fled on foot in an unknown direction. Neither employee was injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect in this incident was described as a black male, 40 years of age, wearing a red and black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, and brown work boots and in possession of a black handgun.

Through various investigative measures, detectives were able to develop a red Chevrolet Impala as a possible suspect vehicle. As the area was being canvassed, subsequent to the second robbery, a red Impala was observed in the area of Marsh Road and Silverside Road. The vehicle proceeded in to the parking lot of the Shoppes of Graylyn, at which time Troopers conducted a traffic stop. The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Chianti L. Johnson, 41, of Wilmington was taken in to custody without incident. Johnson matched the physical description of the suspect in both robberies, with a subsequent search of his person, producing a black, Uzi style, toy gun.

Through further investigation, detectives were able to positively link Johnson to a total of 9 robberies, which have occurred at the below listed businesses in the North Wilmington area, between the dates of December 30, 2017 and January 12, 2018.

• Cricket Wireless, 729 Philadelphia Pike (12/30/17)
• Gamestop, 3612 Concord Pike (12/31/17)
• Auto Zone, 2407 Philadelphia Pike (01/06/18)
• BP gas station, 708 Philadelphia Pike (01/07/18)
• Days Inn, 5209 Concord Pike (01/07/18)
• Wawa, 301 Ridge Road (01/09/18)
• Inn at Wilmington, 300 Rocky Run Blvd. (01/10/18)
• Family Dollar, 4331 Governor Printz Blvd. (01/12/18)
• Dollar General, 2605 Philadelphia Pike (01/12/18)

Johnson was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where he was arrested and formally charged with 10 counts of Robbery 1^st degree and 1 count of Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree. Johnson was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $220,000.00 cash bail.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information regarding these incidents are asked to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8566.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Click on the following links to view original releases:

State Police Investigate Armed Robbery of Cell Phone Store – Wilmington (19809)

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery of North Wilmington Gamestop

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery of Philadelphia Pike AutoZone – Claymont

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery of North Wilmington BP Station

Troopers Investigating Robbery of Claymont Wawa

Troopers Investigating Robbery of North Wilmington Hotel

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 011318 2200

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