Two Claymont men are facing a host of charges after police say they robbed several local businesses then fled from police, crashing into four cars – including a police vehicle – during their attempt to get away.
The men, a 30-year-old and a 27-year-old, were arrested by Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania police after fleeing into that state mid-afternoon Wednesday. They are awaiting extradition to Delaware, where they have been charged with multiple counts of robbery and other crimes.
The investigation into the men, lead by Delaware State Police, began on Monday after police say the duo robbed King of Gold on Silverside Road in Brandywine Hundred just before 6 p.m.
One of the men walked into the business and demanded money after showing a gun. He then fled with an “undisclosed” amount of cash, police said.
Two days later, just before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, state troopers were called to the Sunoco gas station on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont for another robbery. Police said this time, two men walked into the convenience store and demanded money “while implying they had a weapon.”
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They fled after making off with cash and items from the store.
Later that day, just after 2 p.m., troopers were called to the Acme at Naamans and Foulk roads in Brandywine Hundred for a shoplifting-turned-robbery. When the two men were confronted by store employees, one of them punched an employee before running to an SUV.
Once in the SUV, the men drove onto the sidewalk and tried to hit five store employees with the car, according to police. Police said no one was injured by the vehicle.
Shortly after the duo left the Acme, police found the SUV and tried to stop it. The men fled with police close behind, troopers .
During the chase, the SUV hit a New Castle County Police patrol vehicle then continued on. A spokesman for the agency said the officer was not injured.
After the crash, police called off the chase but continued to enlist nearby officers to communicate the SUV’s location by radio. At one point, it ran through a red light, according to emergency communications.
Then, as the SUV reached I-495 and Philadelphia Pike, it hit another car. The driver of that car suffered minor injuries.
After fleeing north into Upper Chichester, where police there began to chase the car, the SUV hit another car. It then hit a fourth car before ultimately stopping, police said.
Emergency communications indicated the men are also suspects in the robbery of a CVS in Upper Chichester.
Police arrested the duo, who were charged in Upper Chichester with robbery, conspiracy, drug charges and a host of other charges. The driver of the car was also charged with driving under the influence.
Both men are currently being held in jail on $100,000 bond.
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