The Delaware State Police arrested a 14-year-old female from Claymont, Delaware, and a 16-year-old female from Wilmington, Delaware, for robbery and assault charges following a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred at the Brandywine Town Center Target in Wilmington Monday night.

On July 7, 2025, at approximately 6:36 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Target, located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 female suspects were confronted by a Target employee as they were exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, one of the suspects sprayed the employee with a chemical spray, which also struck 2 customers entering the business. The suspects then ran out to the parking lot with the stolen merchandise, and fled in a grey Honda Odyssey toward Naamans Road.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified the suspects involved in the robbery as a 14-year-old female and a 16-year-old female. On July 8, 2025, detectives located the suspect vehicle in Wilmington, and conducted a traffic stop. Both suspects were taken into custody during the traffic stop, and taken to Troop 1, where they were each charged with multiple crimes.

The 14-year-old female was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on an $82,000 cash bond.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Assault 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

The 16-year-old female was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on an $82,000 cash bond.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Assault 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police are investigating a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred at the Brandywine Town Center Target in Wilmington last night.

On July 7, 2025, at approximately 6:36 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Target, located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 female suspects were confronted by a Target employee as they were exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, one of the suspects sprayed the employee with a chemical spray, which also struck 2 customers entering the business. The suspects then ran out to the parking lot with the stolen merchandise, and fled in a grey Honda Odyssey toward Naamans Road. The 3 victims were evaluated by EMS at the scene.

The suspects are described as 2 unknown black females wearing dark-colored clothing. Surveillance video and images are not yet available.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. 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 you 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 65-year-old Charles LeCates of Wilmington, Delaware, for multiple retail thefts that occurred over the last several months at various businesses throughout New Castle County.

Between August 2024, and April 2025 troopers investigated several shoplifting reports of a similar nature from businesses throughout New Castle County. In each shoplifting, a white male suspect shoplifted various merchandise from the store before fleeing in an unknown direction. Troopers investigated shopliftings involving the white male suspect from the following stores in New Castle County: ACME, Carter’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Famous Footwear, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Old Navy, Pike Creek Community Hardware, and Target. Through investigative means, troopers identified Charles LeCates as the suspect responsible for 20 shopliftings that spanned 9 months and totaled over $9,500 worth of stolen merchandise. In a handful of the incidents, LeCates shoplifted with different unidentified accomplices. Images of the unknown suspects are not available at this time. Throughout the investigations, troopers attempted to locate LeCates for several theft-related warrants for his arrest.

On May 12, 2025, troopers located LeCates in Wilmington, and took him into custody without incident. A subsequent search of his person led to the discovery of approximately 0.1 grams of crack cocaine. LeCates was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $29,000 secured bond.

• Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 19 counts
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree – 6 counts
• Possess Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription

Troopers continue to investigate these incidents, and are asking anyone who has relevant information to contact Troop 6 by calling (302) 633-5000 or emailing DSP_T6_RTU@delaware.gov. 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.

The Delaware State Police have identified 28-year-old Austin McMasters, 31-year-old Brittany Stacy, and 26-year-old Tehya Dyer, all from North Carolina, as the suspects involved in an armed robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred in the Prices Corner Shopping Center in Wilmington on Thursday morning. All 3 suspects were taken into custody in Virginia Thursday night.

On May 8, 2025, at approximately 10:18 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Gabe’s, located at 3202 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 suspects, later identified as Austin McMasters and Brittany Stacy, entered Gabe’s, and filled 2 shopping carts with merchandise. The suspects then exited the store with the shopping carts full of unpaid merchandise, and began loading the stolen items into a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. A Prices Corner Security employee was notified of the shoplifting, and confronted the suspects in the parking lot. During the confrontation, McMasters punched the employee in the face, before he retrieved a handgun from the Jeep, and pointed it at the employee. McMasters then entered the employee’s marked security vehicle, and fled from the parking lot. Simultaneously, Stacy fled in the Jeep, which was operated by a third suspect, identified as Tehya Dyer.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives developed McMasters, Stacy, and Dyer as the suspects involved in the robbery. Detectives subsequently obtained warrants for their arrests. Later that evening, McMasters, Stacy, and Dyer were taken into custody in Virginia, where they are now incarcerated and awaiting extradition to Delaware for multiple crimes.

Upon extradition to Delaware, McMasters will be charged with the crimes listed below.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Upon extradition to Delaware, Stacy will be charged with the crimes listed below.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Upon extradition to Delaware, Dyer will be charged with the crimes listed below.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police arrested 31-year-old Daquan Christy of Newark, Delaware, for a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred at a Newark area smoke shop yesterday afternoon.

On January 29, 2025, at approximately 3:53 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a robbery at King Smoke Shop, located at 4614 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect approached the King Smoke Shop employee at the counter and inquired about products. The suspect then grabbed the merchandise and began to flee from the shop with the unpaid items. The employee attempted to stop the suspect from exiting the store, at which point the suspect punched the employee multiple times and a physical altercation ensued. The fight continued in the parking lot, until the suspect ultimately fled on foot towards in a northbound direction with the stolen merchandise. Delaware Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Officers assisted troopers with canvassing the area, and quickly located him in a nearby park. The suspect, identified as Daquan Christy, was taken into custody without incident. A search of his person led to the discovery of the stolen merchandise.

The employee was evaluated at the scene by EMS for his injuries.

Christy was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crime listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $3,000 secured bond.

• Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Delaware State Police arrested 28-year-old Thomas Lowe of Wilmington, Delaware, for a robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred at the Royal Farms in Wilmington last month.

On December 21, 2024, at approximately 9:27 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Royal Farms, located at 3701 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown white male suspect concealed merchandise on his person and attempted to leave the store with the unpaid products. Employees confronted the suspect as he exited the store, at which point the suspect displayed a handgun and threatened the employees. The suspect then fled from the store in a blue sedan driven by an unknown subject.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Robbery Detectives identified the suspect responsible for the robbery as Thomas Lowe, and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On January 2, 2025, Lowe was located by detectives in Wilmington and taken into custody without incident. Lowe was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crime listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $60,000 cash bond.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Delaware State Police arrested 46-year-old Christina Cerroni of Newark, Delaware, for multiple vehicle thefts and shopliftings that occurred over the last several months throughout New Castle County.

Between September 27, 2024, and December 29, 2024, troopers investigated several motor vehicle thefts of a similar nature that occurred in Wilmington and Newark. In each theft, a white female suspect stole the vehicle, which was unsecured and unattended, and fled from the scene in the stolen vehicle. Through investigative means, troopers identified the suspect responsible for the vehicle thefts as Christina Cerroni. Troopers further identified Cerroni as the suspect responsible for 4 shopliftings at the Christiana Mall Target that occurred in April and May 2024, and totaled over $1,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Troopers obtained warrants for Cerroni’s arrest for several theft-related offenses and made several attempts to locate her.

On December 30, 2024, at approximately 9:25 p.m., a trooper responded to Delaware Park Casino located at 777 Delaware Park Boulevard, Wilmington, for a report of a disorderly woman refusing to leave the property. Upon arriving, the trooper made contact with the woman, later identified as Cerroni, and took her into custody. Cerroni initially provided a fictitious name to the trooper; however, the trooper was familiar with Cerroni from previous investigations and was aware she was wanted for several theft-related offenses.

Cerroni was taken to Troop 2, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $2,000 cash bond.

• Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony) – 5 counts
• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 5 counts
• Theft Under $1,500
• Criminal Impersonation
• Disorderly Conduct
• Resisting Arrest
• Criminal Trespass 3^rd Degree
• Public Intoxication

The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred at the Royal Farms in Wilmington on Saturday night.

On December 21, 2024, at approximately 9:27 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Royal Farms, located at 3701 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown white male suspect concealed merchandise on his person and attempted to leave the store with the unpaid products. Employees confronted the suspect as he exited the store, at which point the suspect displayed a handgun and threatened the employees. The suspect then fled from the store in a blue sedan driven by an unknown subject.

The suspect is described as a white male wearing dark-colored clothing. There is no further description available for the suspect vehicle or its driver. Surveillance video and images of the suspect and suspect vehicle are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact detectives by calling (302) 365-8566. 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.

The Delaware State Police arrested 30-year-old Rashunda Smullen and 28-year-old Jerlysa Williams, both of Wilmington, Delaware, for multiple shoplifting offenses that occurred Monday afternoon at various stores within Christiana Mall.

On December 16, 2024, at approximately 12:10 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting at the Lens Crafters, located at 750 Christiana Mall in Newark. Upon arriving, troopers learned two female suspects placed multiple pairs of glasses into their purses and walked out of the store with the unpaid merchandise. Troopers searched the mall for the suspects, and located them at a nearby store. The suspects, identified as Rashunda Smullen and Jerlysa Williams, were taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of their purses led to the discovery of stolen glasses valued at over $5,000, as well as additional unpaid merchandise from other stores at the mall.

Further investigation led troopers to identify Smullen and Williams as the suspects responsible for a shoplifting at the Apple Store. Additionally, Williams was identified as the suspect responsible for shopliftings at Nordstrom, and Cotton on Kids.

Smullen and Williams were taken to Troop 10, where they were both charged with multiple crimes.

Smullen was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on her own recognizance.

• Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Shoplifting Under $1,500

Williams was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on her own recognizance.

• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 4 counts

The Delaware State Police are investigating a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred Monday afternoon at a Sunglass Hut kiosk within the Macy’s at Concord Mall.

On June 17, 2024, at approximately 5:40 p.m., troopers responded to a shoplifting turned robbery at the Sunglass Hut kiosk located within the Macy’s at 580 Concord Mall in Wilmington. The investigation revealed that 5 unknown suspects approached the kiosk and grabbed several pairs of eyeglasses. As the suspects fled towards the exit of the store with the unpaid merchandise, they were confronted by an employee. During the confrontation, one of the female suspects dropped a bag containing some of the stolen eyeglasses and pepper sprayed the employee in the face. The suspects then fled in a silver sedan with several pairs of eyeglasses.

Through investigative means, troopers identified one of the suspects as Itaijiyah Clark (pictured below) and obtained warrants for her arrest. The remaining four suspects are unknown and are described as black females. Surveillance images and video of the suspects and the suspect vehicle are not yet available. Clark has not been located at this time, and is wanted for several felony charges.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact detectives by calling (302) 365-8566. 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.