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Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


Troopers Arrest Pair for Recent String of Armed Robberies – New Castle County


Date Posted: Sunday, April 5th, 2020

New Castle County – The Delaware State Police have arrested 27 year old Theodore D. Shields and 29 year old Melissa L. Hawkins, both of Coatesville, PA, in connection with a recent string of armed robberies.

The investigation began on March 28, 2020 when Troopers responded to the El Diablo restaurant, located 1812 Marsh Rd., Wilmington, for a robbery, in which a male suspect implied that he was armed and then made off with a tip jar that was on the counter.

A second incident occurred on March 31, at the Pizza Pasta Restaurant, located at 1505 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle. During this robbery attempt the suspect assaulted one of the employees by striking them with a handgun before fleeing without obtaining any money or property.

The third robbery in the string occurred on April 3 at the Hotspot Pizzeria, located at 1127 Churchman’s Rd., Newark, during which the suspect displayed a handgun and fled with a tip jar.

During the course of the investigation detectives were able to confirm that the same suspect, later identified as Shields, was responsible for all three robberies. Through further investigative measures they were also able to develop a white, Mazda 626 with Delaware tags as a vehicle involved in the robberies, which was positively linked to Hawkins.

On Saturday, April 4, 2020 a patrol Trooper out of Troop 6 located the Mazda at the Exxon gas station in Newport. Both Shields and Hawkins were in the vehicle at the time of the stop and were taken in to custody without incident.

During a search of the Mazda evidence was recovered further linking Shields to the robberies. One piece of evidence recovered was a silver and black handgun which was confirmed to be the weapon used in the robberies. The weapon was ultimately determined to be a BB gun. Detectives were also able to confirm that Hawkins was the getaway driver during all three robberies.

Theodore D. Shields was charged with the following:

Theodore D. Shields
  • Robbery 1st Degree (3 counts)
  • Attempted Robbery 1st Degree (3 counts)
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (3 counts)
  • Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
  • Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (2 counts)
  • Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony
  • Assault 3rd Degree

He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $169,500.00 secured bail.

Melissa L. Hawkins was charged with the following:

Melissa L. Hawkins
  • Robbery 1st Degree (2 counts)
  • Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (3 counts)

She was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $44,500.00 unsecured bond.

Click on the following links to view related releases:

Troopers Investigating Wilmington Restaurant Armed Robbery

Troopers Investigating New Castle Restaurant Armed Robbery

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery – Newark

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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:040520 1150

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