Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Arrest Man for Series of Gas Station Armed Robberies in New Castle County

Date Posted: Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Liebal

Delaware State Police arrested 38-year-old Joshua Liebal of Wilmington, Delaware, for a series of armed robberies that occurred at New Castle County gas stations this week.

On August 28, 2024, at approximately 8:10 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a robbery at the Star Gas Station, located at 3927 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed a masked white male suspect entered the gas station, approached an employee at the front counter, and demanded the employee open the cash register while holding a knife. After the employee complied, the suspect went behind the counter while still holding the knife and removed an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then fled in a silver GMC Envoy towards Evelyn Drive.

A trooper searching the area observed a silver GMC Envoy traveling towards Kirkwood Highway, and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The trooper made contact with the driver of the Envoy and observed his clothing matched the description of the robbery suspect. The driver, identified as Joshua Liebal, was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, troopers observed Liebal matched the description of the suspect responsible for armed robberies of a similar nature that occurred over the past 2 days at multiple New Castle County gas stations. Liebal was ultimately identified as the suspect involved in the August 26, 2024, armed robbery of the Valero gas station, and the August 27, 2024, armed robbery of the Liberty gas station. Charges are pending for both. Troopers further learned Liebal had an unknown co-conspirator. Additionally, a computer inquiry revealed Liebal had a warrant for his arrest for a shoplifting that occurred on July 24, 2024, at the Weis Markets, located at 24832 John J. Williams Highway in Millsboro.

Liebal was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $64,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Shoplifting Under $1,500
Conspiracy 3^rd Degree

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate these incidents, and additional charges are forthcoming. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective J. Dempsey by calling (302) 365-8472. 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.