Troopers Arrest Two Juveniles Following String of Armed Robberies

New Castle - Delaware State Police Robbery Unit detectives have arrested two New Castle juveniles following a string of armed robberies which have occurred over the past month in New Castle.

On Sunday, May 17, 2015, at approximately 11:20 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa convenience store located at 531 E. Basin Road, New Castle, for the report of an armed robbery which had just occurred. Upon their arrival, troopers learned that two male suspects, one of which was armed with a handgun, had entered the store and confronted an 18 year old store employee. The suspects then demanded cash from the store’s registers. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to them. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

Through further investigation and interviews, troopers were able to positively identify Deyon Merriwether–Tull, 15, of New Castle, as one of the two suspects who had committed the robbery. Troopers learned that Merriwether-Tull was presently at a residence located in the 500 block of E. Basin Road, and were able to take him into custody at the home without incident.

Merriwether-Tull was transported to Troop 2, Glasgow, where he was turned over to detectives. Detectives were subsequently able to link Merriwether-Tull to three other armed robberies which had occurred in the area. It was also discovered that a second suspect, Markivis Jenkins, 16, of New Castle, had participated in two of the armed robberies as well. On May 18, 2015, detectives responded to Jenkins’ residence and were able to take him into custody without incident as well.

Deyon Merriwether-Tull (pictured white t-shirt) was arrested and charged with six counts of Robbery 1st Degree, four counts of Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony, three counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 1st Degree, and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at the New Castle County Family Court and then committed to the New Castle County Juvenile Detention Center for lack of $96,000.00 secured bail.

Markivis Jenkins was arrested and charged with four counts of Robbery 1st Degree, two counts of Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony, and two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was arraigned at the New Castle County Family Court and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center for lack of $24,000.00 secured bail.

Merriwether-Tull and Jenkins have been linked to the following robberies:

Dunkin Donuts, 196 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 9:28 p.m. (Jenkins and Merriwether-Tull)
Wawa, 531 E. Basin Road, New Castle, Monday, April 20, 2015 at 1:07 a.m. (Jenkins and Merriwether-Tull)
Wawa, 531 E. Basin Road, New Castle, Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 2:34 a.m. (Merriwether-Tull)
Wawa, 531 E. Basin Road, New Castle, Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 11:17 p.m. (Merriwether-Tull)

Delaware State Police Robbery Unit detectives are continuing their investigation into this string of robberies and more arrests are expected.

If anyone has any information in reference to these incidents, they are asked to contact Detective Steven Rizzo at 302-365-8440. Information may also be provided by callingDelaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."