Newark/Bear- The Delaware State Police have arrested 27-year-old Frank Torres of Wilmington, DE, for robbery and related charges following two incidents that occurred at the Shell gas station and 7-Eleven yesterday.

The first incident occurred at approximately 12:27 a.m., Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the 7-Eleven convenience store, located at 1700 Pulaski Highway, Bear, when troopers responded to a knife point robbery. A male suspect entered the store and confronted a male employee behind the sales counter. The suspect demanded money from the cash register, but the employee did not comply and refused to hand over any cash. The suspect then exited the store without obtaining any cash and fled the scene in a blue sedan.

The second incident occurred at approximately 12:48 a.m., Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Shell gas station, located at 1148 Christiana Road, Newark, when troopers responded to a knife point robbery. Investigation determined a male suspect entered the store and confronted a male employee behind the sales counter. The suspect displayed a knife and demanded money from the register. The employee complied and the suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. Upon the suspect running into the parking lot, a good Samaritan who witnessed the incident held the suspect at gunpoint which caused him to drop some of the proceeds. The suspect was then able to return to his vehicle and fled the scene in a blue sedan. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

Later, on August 22, 2021, at approximately 2:15 p.m., officers from New Castle City Police Department located the suspect vehicle. After a vehicle pursuit officers successfully took Torres into custody on I-95 in the area of Churchmans Road.

While in police custody Torres was charged with the following crimes:

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Attempted to Commit Robbery First Degree (Felony
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts

Torres was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $252,000 cash bond.

Delaware State Police Investigating Robbery of Gas Station- Newark

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 082321 1210

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