Delaware robbery unit detectives and state police arrested two men, one of them a recently-fired Popeye’s employee, for a string of nine armed robberies stretching back to February, according to state police.
Jalen Hubbard and Ramee Gregory both 18-year-old men from New Castle, were taken into custody at Hubbard’s home Wednesday after investigators learned that Hubbard had been fired from the New Castle Popeye’s Restaurant where the first robbery occurred several days before the Feb. 9 crime and that he matched the description of one of the two suspects.
A search warrant led to evidence allegedly linking the men to the robbery spree, as well as a May 24 burglary of Dick’s Sporting Goods in Newark in which a front glass window was shattered and several shotguns were taken.
Other businesses hit include a Dunkin Donuts in Aston, PA on Wednesday, a Humlog Grocery Store in Newark on Tuesday, Cumberland Farms in New Castle on Monday, Domino’s Pizza in Bear on May 19, Country Maid Deli in New Castle on May 14, a Domino’s Pizza in Newark on May 10, a second Popeye’s Restaurant in Newark on May 4 and another Cumberland Farms location in New Castle on March 23.
In each incident, two masked male suspects armed with a long gun or handgun demanded money from the safe and cash register before fleeing in an unknown direction. There were no injuries reported in connection with any of the robberies.
Hubbard is charged with 18 counts of first-degree robbery, 11 counts of conspiracy, nine counts of wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, seven counts of theft of a firearm, third-degree burglary and weapons offenses.
Gregory faces similar charges. Both teens were arraigned and jailed at the Howard Young Correctional Institution for lack of bail.
