New Castle – The Delaware State Police have arrested 18 year old Steffron X. Watson and 18 year old Korah Pitts, both of Salem New Jersey, in connection with two armed robberies that occurred within a thirty minute time frame, Sunday night.

The first robbery occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the Exxon gas station located at 261 S. DuPont Hwy., New Castle. Watson and Pitts entered the business wearing disguises and brandishing handguns and then confronted two employees at the sales counter. Both subjects then immediately vaulted the counter and proceeded to assault the two employees while demanding cash from the register. The employees complied with the demand by turning over an undisclosed amount of cash. After obtaining the money the suspects continued to assault the victims before fleeing on foot. Both victims sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and were treated an area hospital.

The second robbery occurred at approximately 9:29 p.m., at the Plaza Fuel located at 194 S. DuPont Hwy., in which two masked subjects, again confirmed to be Watson and Pitts entered the business brandishing handguns and proceeded to an unstaffed sales counter. An employee within the business observed the pair as they entered and was able to remain secured in an office, successfully avoiding contact. Watson and Pitts then proceeded to remove an undisclosed amount of cash from the register along with an unknown quantity of cigarettes before fleeing the business.

Responding Troopers were able to establish a perimeter around the Plaza Fuel location which resulted in the apprehension of both Watson and Pitts who were located in a wooded area adjacent to the business. A further search of the area led to the recovery of a black airsoft handgun that was confirmed to have been used during both robberies.

Watson and Pitts were taken in to custody without incident and then transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where they were both charged with the following:

• Robbery 1^st Degree (2 counts)
• Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree
• Assault 2^nd Degree (2 counts)
• Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (2 counts)
• Theft under $1500.00

Watson and Pitts were arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 before being committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $169,000.00 cash bail each.

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: 082918 1355

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