Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Arrest Man for Multiple Attempted Robberies throughout New Castle County

Date Posted: Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Delaware State Police arrested 27-year-old Christopher Trexler of Newark, Delaware, for multiple attempted robberies and related offenses that occurred in New Castle County yesterday.

On September 16, 2024, at approximately 10:20 a.m., troopers responded to the Best Buy, located at 4807 Concord Pike, Wilmington, for a report of an attempted robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown white male suspect approached a Best Buy employee to purchase an Apple product and a video game console. While the employee was ringing up the merchandise, the suspect walked behind the sales counter, grabbed the employee and pinned her against a shelf. The suspect then grabbed the merchandise, and attempted to run out of the store. The suspect was stopped by additional Best Buy employees, and a brief physical alteration ensued during which the suspect made a statement about being armed with a knife. The suspect then fled on foot through the parking lot in a northernly direction. There were no injuries reported by employees. During the investigation, troopers reviewed the surveillance footage and identified the suspect responsible for the robbery as Christopher Trexler. Troopers were familiar with Trexler from previous investigations.

A couple hours later, at approximately 12:30 p.m., troopers responded to the Game Stop, located at 4437 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, for a similar report of an attempted robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that a white male suspect, later identified as Trexler, approached a Game Stop employee, and inquired about video game consoles. Trexler then wrote a demand note in which he claimed to be armed with a knife, before he walked behind the sales counter, and attempted to grab a pair of scissors. The Game Stop employee and Trexler struggled over the scissors, which the employee was able to throw away from Trexler. The physical altercation continued as the employee chased Trexler out of the store, who ultimately fled on foot in an unknown direction. The GameStop employee sustained minor injuries, however, declined medical treatment at the scene.

Shortly thereafter, at approximately 1:30 p.m., troopers responded to the Best Buy, located at 2700 Fashion Center Boulevard, Newark, for a report of a shoplifting. The preliminary investigation revealed that Trexler entered the store, grabbed a video game console, and ran out of the business without paying for the merchandise. Upon arriving, troopers located Trexler, who was in possession of the stolen video game console, at another business in the shopping center, and took him into custody without incident.

A computer inquiry revealed there were several warrants issued by Troop 2 and Troop 6 for Trexler’s arrest for thefts that occurred between September 13-14, 2024. Trexler was taken to Troop 2, where he 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 $41,000 cash bond.