New Castle – Delaware State Police have arrested two suspects for armed robberies and another suspect on weapons charges.

Troopers began investigating an armed robbery that occurred at approximately 10:56 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the Pizza Hut located at 1508 Beaver Brook Plaza, New Castle. A masked suspect brandishing a handgun, approached two employees at the sales counter and demanded money from the register. The victims complied with the demand by turning over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect who then exited the business, and was last seen on foot, northbound towards Pine Valley Apartments. The victims were not injured as a result of this incident.

Another armed robbery troopers investigated occurred on Monday, August 27, 2018 at a New Castle area Rite Aid Pharmacy at approximately 2:37 a.m., located at 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle. An armed suspect entered the business brandishing a handgun and confronted an employee at the sales counter. The employee then complied with the suspects demand for money by turning over an undisclosed amount of cash. After the employee provided the money to the suspect a struggled ensued between the two over possession of the firearm, at which time a round was fired in to the ceiling. After discharging the firearm the suspect fled the business via the rear door. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

Through investigative measures Maria Simpson and David R. Ramirez were generated as suspects and on October 2, 2018 detectives from the robbery unit executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence. Warrants were issued for David R. Ramirez for the Rite Aid Pharmacy. On October 5, 2018, Ramirez was observed driving near the Christiana Mall where he parked his vehicle and entered the food court. A short period later, Ramirez and an unknown male exited the food court and walked to Ramirez’s vehicle. Prior to entering the vehicle both were taken into custody. The unknown suspect with Ramirez was later identified as Elliot S. Colon, 24 of Orlando, Florida. Colon was found to be in possession of a loaded Kel Tec 9 MM handgun equipped with a silencer and an obliterated SN, numerous rounds of ammunition, an extended magazine, masks, gloves, and dark clothing. Colon was convicted of possessing a controlled substance in Florida in 2015 and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

A search warrant was executed on the Honda Accord. The Honda Accord contained a loaded Ruger 9 MM handgun equipped with a silencer and an obliterated SN. Additionally the vehicle contained evidence linking the suspects in the Rite Aid robbery.

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery – New Castle

Troopers Investigating Pharmacy Robbery – New Castle

Elliott S. Colon, 24 of Orlando Florida was charged with Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited, Possession of ammunition by Person Prohibited, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Destructive Weapon (silencer), and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number. Colon was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $50,000.00 cash bond.

David R. Ramirez, 28 of New Castle was charged with two counts of Robbery 1^st degree, two counts Reckless Endangering, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 2nd degree, Wearing a Disguise during Felony, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Destructive Weapon (Silencer), and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number. Ramirez was committed to Howard R. Young in default of $226,000.00 cash bond.

Maria D. Simpson, 31 of New Castle turned herself in to Troop 2 and was charged with two counts of Robbery 1st, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony and Conspiracy 2nd degree. She was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $65,000.00 unsecured bond.

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 the Director of Public Information, Sgt. Richard Bratz,

Released: 100718  1141

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