The Delaware State Police have arrested 36-year-old Charles Carter, from Wilmington, Delaware, for robbery and related charges in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in November.
On November 14, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at La Oaxaquena Grocery Store, located at 107 North Maryland Avenue, in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed that two unknown suspects entered the store and demanded money from a store employee. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at customers and employees during the incident. The armed suspect lost balance while reaching over the counter and subsequently fired a single shot. No one was injured. The suspects fled with money, an employee’s personal property, and then drove away in a dark colored sedan.
Detectives identified the getaway vehicle as a black Hyundai Elantra with a Virginia tag. On November 15, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., officers from the Wilmington Police Department located the Elantra, stopped it, and identified the driver as Ignacio Reyes-Hernandez. State police detectives took Reyes-Hernandez into custody and determined he was one of the suspects involved in the robbery. Through investigative means, detectives identified the second suspect they were looking for as Charles Carter and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On January 12, 2026, the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry where Carter was a passenger. He was arrested without incident and during a search of his person, detectives found 9mm ammunition and 6 oxycodone pills. During a search of the Camry, detectives found approximately 0.68 grams of crack cocaine and a digital scale. Carter was also wanted for several shoplifting incidents at Concord Mall and Christiana Mall. The other occupants were arrested for misdemeanor offenses.
Carter was taken to Troop 6, 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 $78,280 cash and secured bonds.
- Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon Within 10 Years of Prior Conviction of Any Felony (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited Prior Violent Crime or Felony (Felony)
- Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
- Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony)
- Attempted Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony)
- Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 2 counts
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree – 2 counts
- Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 2 counts
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia