Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley
Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
Magnolia, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested three people in connection with a Friday evening robbery of a pizza delivery driver.
The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred Friday September 9, 2016 at approximately 9:50 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to Papa John’s Pizza near Camden for a report of a robbery that occurred with one of their drivers. The 37-year-old female driver attempted to deliver a pizza to an address on Colleen Court when she was waved down by two males standing by a green Toyota Camry in the cul-de-sac. Upon contacting the suspects, they demanded the pizza and her money. After initially refusing to turn over the money, one of the suspects displayed an unknown type handgun and removed the money from the victim. The two men then entered the Toyota where a third suspect was sitting, and drove out of the development in an unknown direction.
The victim was not injured and was able to obtain the vehicle registration as it drove away. Through investigative measures, troopers were able to obtain information of the subject that was in possession of the car. On Saturday September 10, 2016 troopers located the vehicle parked behind a residence on Juanita Drive, Magnolia, as well as two subjects sleeping in a camper.
Ryan S. King, 23 of Magnolia, and Ethan H. Peterson, 25 of Bowers Beach, were taken into custody without incident. A black starter pistol was also located nearby in a trash pile that used during the crime, as well as clothing worn by the suspects that was described by the victim.
Ryan King and Ethan Peterson were transported back to Troop 3 near Camden where they were both charged with Robbery 1st, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd. King was additionally charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. They were arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $91,000.00 secured and $81,000.00 secured respectively. (There are currently no photos available for King and Peterson)
Later Saturday afternoon, Austin L. Gruwell, 20 of Magnolia, was taken into custody and charged with Robbery 1st, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 2nd. He was arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $81,000.00 secured bond.
Released: 091016 2120
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