The Delaware State Police arrested 39-year-old Janine McAlonan of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, for several felony charges stemming from a burglary that occurred at a Newark area pharmacy last month. McAlonan’s two coconspirators, 42-year-old Christopher Welch, and an unknown suspect, remain at-large.
On October 26, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a burglary at the Saveway Compound Pharmacy, located at 31 Albe Drive in Newark. The preliminary investigation revealed that two unknown suspects forcibly entered the building and removed a safe containing an undisclosed amount of money, and various controlled substances valued at several thousand dollars. The suspects exited the business with the safe and placed it into a dark-colored SUV. The SUV, which was operated by an unknown suspect, then drove away in an unknown direction while the two suspects fled on foot.
Through investigative means, and in collaboration with out-of-state law enforcement agencies, detectives developed Christopher Welch and Janine McAlonan as two of the suspects involved in the burglary. Detectives further discovered the suspects were linked to similar incidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Detectives obtained warrants for burglary and associated charges for their arrests. The third suspect/driver of the Jeep remains unknown. There is no description available for the third suspect at this time.
On November 11, 2024, McAlonan turned herself in at Troop 1, where she was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released on an $11,000 unsecured bond.
- Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony)
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief
Welch has not been located at this time. He is wanted by the Delaware State Police for the following offenses:
- Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony)
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief
Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Christopher Welch to contact Detective M. Kerrigan by calling (302) 365-8487. 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.