Public Tips Lead To Arrest In Two New Castle Armed Robberies

Location:
Wawa Food Market, 531 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE
Valero Shore Stop, 891 South Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE

Date of Occurrences:
Friday, August 10, 2012 at 2:10 a.m.
Friday, August 10, 2012 at 3:12 a.m.

Victims:
29 year old female employee
24 year old female employee

Defendant/Charges/Bond Information:
Desere M. Stringfield-21 of Wilmington, DE (photo attached)
Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
Committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $65,000 Secured Bond.


Resume:
Newark-Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Detectives have arrested a 21 year old Wilmington, DE woman in connection with the armed robbery of two New Castle businesses that occurred on August 10th.

The first incident occurred on August 10, 2012 at approximately 2:10 a.m. as a female suspect entered the Wawa Food Store located on East Basin Road and confronted the 29 year old female employee. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money. The victim complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the store on foot. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

The second incident occurred at approximately 3:12 a.m. as the same suspect entered the Valero Shore Stop located on South Dupont Highway. The suspect approached the 24 year old female employee and pointed a handgun at her demanding money. The victim complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the store on foot. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.


After releasing the surveillance photos of the suspect to the media, detectives received several tips identifying the suspect as Desere M. Stringfield-21 of Wilmington, DE. Through further investigation, Troop 2 Robbery Detectives were able to connect Stringfield to the two robberies.

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, detectives executed a search warrant at the residence of Stringfield located in the 800 block of North Monroe Street, Wilmington, DE, and located clothing connecting her to both incidents.

Stringfield was taken into custody in the residence without incident and charged with the above listed crimes. She was arraigned and committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $65,000 Secured Bond.

The Delaware State Police would like to thank the public and media for their continued support, involvement, and vigilance in providing information and reporting suspicious persons and activity.