Preston, MD Man Caught after Robbing Lewes Store

Preston, MD Man Caught after Robbing Lewes Store – Implicated in Several Robberies throughout Delaware and Maryland

Lewes – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 33-year-old Preston, MD man for a robbery he committed early this morning at the Happy Harry’s located on Savannah road in Lewes. Subsequent his arrest, he was found to have committed several additional robberies in Sussex County and Easton, MD.

The arrest was made after troopers responded to the Happy Harry’s this morning at approximately 5:44 am after 911 was called reporting a male wearing a mask, sweatshirt and jeans entered the store armed with a black handgun and robbed the pharmacist of prescription medication. During the course of the robbery, the suspect - later identified as Randall L. Patrick, 33 of Preston, MD – pointed the weapon at an employee and threatened to shoot her.

After complying with the demands of Patrick and giving him Oxycontin pills, he fled the area in a 1997 white Plymouth mini-van. Employees were able to get the Maryland registration on the vehicle and supply that to the 911 operators who shared that with troopers who were searching the area for the suspect vehicle.

A patrol trooper assigned to Troop 7 located the min-van on New Road in the area of Nassau Road and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle, which matched the description of the suspect vehicle and displayed the same registration provided by the witnesses, failed to stop for police and fled northbound on Coastal Hwy. Additional troopers were able to deploy stop sticks on the roadway just south of State Route 16. The min-van drove over them causing Mr. Patrick to pull over and surrender to police.

As detectives continued with the investigation, they learned that Patrick was responsible for committing several additional robberies of Happy Harry’s and Walgreens. DSP detectives have positively linked him to two additional robberies at the same location in Lewes on March 6, 2009 and July 15, 2008, the Seaford Walgreens on December 28, 2008 and two Happy Harry’s robberies in Easton, MD on May 30, 2008 and February 15, 2009.

As a result of the arrest, DSP has arrested Patrick for the three robberies that occurred within Lewes. As such, he was charged with 3 counts of Robbery 1st Degree, 6 counts of Aggravated Menacing, 9 counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony and 3 counts of Wearing a Disguise During Commission of a Felony.

Patrick will also be arrested and charged with the robbery of the Walgreen’s, located at 22898 Sussex Hwy, Seaford on December 28, 2008. In that case, he will be charged with Robbery 1st degree, Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Felony, three counts of Aggravated Menacing and Wearing a Disguise during Commission of a Felony.

Maryland authorities are working with DSP detectives and will be responsible for filing charges for the crimes committed within their jurisdictions. Bail information is not readily available. It will be disseminated when known.

Mr. Patrick was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of a $455,000.00 cash only bail.