Seaford– The Delaware State Police have charged 40-year-old STEVEN D. MERILLO of Seaford and 48-year-old SPENCER WRIGHT of Bridgeville for robbery and related charges.

The incident occurred on August 17, 2020, at approximately 5:39 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the R & F Auto Sales located at 28434 West Stein Highway, Seaford, for a report of a robbery.  Upon arrival, Troopers met with a 60-year-old male who advised that he and his friend, Steven Merillo had drove to R & F Auto Sales to obtain a dealer tag as the two of them were going to drive to Waldorf, Maryland where they were picking up a Suburban, in which the victim was purchasing.  The victim advised that upon arrival, Merillo had exited the vehicle for approximately 5 minutes, when the victim was approached by an unknown male.  The male proceeded to enter the rear seat of the vehicle and pointed a handgun at the victim while demanding money.  In the meantime, Merillo had arrived back at the vehicle and entered the passengers seat.  The victim and the male suspect continued to engage in a physical altercation, in which the victim was struck in the head with what was later determined to be a fake handgun.  The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim prior to fleeing the scene.  During this incident Merillo did not attempt to intervene or have any contact with the suspect.  The victim sustained minor injury that did not require medical attention.

Through further investigations it was determined that Merillo conspired with the suspect, later identified as Spencer Wright to commit the robbery.  Merillo was taken into custody that same day without incident after being interviewed at Troop 4. He was charged with the following:

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Assault Second Degree (Felony)
• Theft (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Merillo was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $148000.00 cash only bail.

On August 24, 2020, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Spencer Wright was taken into custody by the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force (GTF) at his residence located in the 21000 block of  Mill Park Drive, Bridgeville without incident. Wright was transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with the following:

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Assault Second Degree (Felony)
• Theft (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Trespass

Wright was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $57001.00 secured 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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 082520 1559

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