Delaware State Police have arrested two adults and one juvenile accused of holding up a Dover area fast food restaurant over the weekend.
Jerome Williams, 41, of Dover; James A. Staten, 25, of Magnolia; and a 16-year-old boy, also of Dover, are each charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of aggravated menacing, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony and second-degree conspiracy.
The arrests stemmed from an incident alleged to have occurred at around 10:25 p.m. Sunday. Investigators said that two of the suspects, both of whom wearing masks, entered the Sonic restaurant located in the 300 block of Gateway South Boulevard.
Troopers said that one of the suspects, who was armed with a sawed-off shotgun, pointed the weapon at two male employees of the restaurant and ordered them to open the safe. The suspects then removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe, according to police.
Police said the third suspect acted as a lookout as the robbery was occurring. Investigators said that after the robbery, the three suspects fled from the restaurant and were last seen leaving the parking lot in a red Ford Mustang with a black convertible top. Nobody was injured during the incident.
Approximately one hour later, a Dover police officer observed a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle leaving a home located in the 500 block of River Road in Dover. The vehicle was stopped and was found to be occupied by two persons later identified as Williams and the 16-year-old suspect.
Police said a subsequent search of both suspects, as well as the Mustang, revealed evidence linking the pair to the robbery. Through further investigation, detectives said they were able to identify Staten as the third suspect in this incident. He was located at the River Road home and taken into custody.
Following their arrests on the aforementioned charges, Williams and Staten were ordered held in the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $139,000 secured bail. The 16-year-old, who was arraigned in Kent County Family Court, was ordered held in the Department of Corrections in lieu of $139,000 secured bail.