Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Arrest Six Suspects for Strong Arm Robbery at New Castle Area Wawa

Date Posted: Friday, May 31st, 2024

Wawa

Delaware State Police arrested Chauncey Addison, 19, of Wilmington, DE, Ziare Drummond, 19, of Smyrna, DE, Aryanna Mercado, 18, of Newark, DE, Heaven Mancinelli, 18, of New Castle, DE, Destiny Burkett, 18, of Claymont, DE, and Jashawn McNeill, 18, of Wilmington, DE, for a strong arm robbery and assault that occurred yesterday afternoon at a Wawa in New Castle.

On May 30, 2024, at approximately 2:51 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 1515 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, for a report of a robbery and assault. Upon arriving, troopers learned the victim was confronted by 3 male and 3 female acquaintances as they were riding on the same DART bus. The suspects continued arguing with the victim and followed him as he got off the bus in the area of the Wawa. The victim attempted to seek safety from the suspects and entered the Wawa, however, the suspects followed him. Once inside, the suspects punched and kicked the victim and stole his property before they fled on foot in an unknown direction. The victim, an adult male whose identity will not be disclosed, was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.

Troopers and officers with the New Castle County Police Department searched the area for the suspects. A trooper observed all 6 of the suspects walking near Louise Road and Mark Drive. The trooper stopped to make contact with the suspects, at which point the 3 male suspects disregarded verbal commands to stop and ran in different directions into a wooded area. In the ensuing foot chase, the trooper located one of the suspects, who was identified as Jashawn McNeill. McNeill continued to physically resist as the trooper attempted to take him into custody, however, was successfully apprehended after a brief struggle. The remaining 5 suspects, later identified as Chauncey Addison, Ziare Drummond, Aryanna Mercado, Heaven Mancinelli, and Destiny Burkett, were found in a nearby neighborhood a short time later and were taken into custody without incident. The victim’s stolen property was recovered during the search.

Addison, Drummond, Mercado, Mancinelli, Burkett, and McNeill were taken to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Addison 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 $64,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest (Felony)

Drummond 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 $64,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest (Felony)

Mercado was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $62,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Mancinelli was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $62,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Burkett was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $62,000 cash bond.

Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

McNeill 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 $64,000 cash bond.