Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Update – Two Suspects Arrested Delaware State Police Investigate Attempted Robbery Leading to Crash

Date Posted: Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

Railroad

Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old Tahmir Pernsley of Townsend, Delaware, and 21-year-old Christian Anticona of Wilmington, Delaware, for multiple felony charges stemming from an attempted robbery, shooting, and crash investigation that occurred in Townsend in July.

On July 19, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Railroad Avenue in Townsend for a reported robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that the two victims had arranged to meet in front of a residence on the 500 block of Railroad Avenue to sell vape pens to an unknown individual they had met through social media. Upon their arrival on Railroad Avenue, the victims were waiting in their vehicle when they were approached by two suspects on foot. The suspects entered the vehicle, brandished handguns, and demanded the vape pens and money. In response, the 19-year-old driver began honking the vehicle’s horn, causing one suspect to flee. The second suspect remained inside as the driver attempted to escape by driving away. The vehicle veered off Railroad Avenue and collided with a utility pole before crashing into a nearby residence. After the crash, all individuals exited the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver pursued the suspects, at which point one of the suspects fired a shot at him. The suspects then fled the scene in an unknown white vehicle. The 18-year-old passenger was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash. No other injuries were reported, including from the occupied residence that was struck.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives, in conjunction with the Townsend Police Department and the Middletown Police Department, identified the suspect vehicle to be a Nissan Versa with Delaware registration. Additionally, detectives identified Tahmir Pernsley and Christian Anticona as the suspects involved in the attempted robbery, and obtained a warrant for their arrest. During the investigation, detectives discovered a third suspect was involved in the attempted robbery. The suspect is described as white male, who may have been injured during the crash.

On August 2, 2024, members of the Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit, Troop 9 Patrol, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, and the Townsend Police Department executed search warrants at a residence in Wilmington and a residence in Townsend. A search of the Townsend residence led to the discovery of the firearms used in the attempted robbery. A computer inquiry of the serial number revealed the firearm was reported as stolen in the jurisdiction of the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia) in October 2015. Pernsley and Anticona were taken into custody without incident during the execution of the search warrants and taken to Troop 2, where they were both charged with multiple crimes.

Pernsley was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $161,000 cash bond.

Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
Reckless Endanger 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Anticona was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $93,000 cash bond.

Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Reckless Endanger 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues its investigation and urges anyone who may have witnessed or has relevant information regarding this incident to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.