DOVER - Tyrese Payne, 31, of Dover, was arrested in connection with four recent armed robberies, including three on Sept. 3, authorities said.
Dover police said the first robbery occurred at approximately 12:09 a.m. on Sept. 3 at the Burlington Coat Factory at 515 N. Dupont Highway. Two suspects, one armed with a handgun, approached a man and obtained money before fleeing on foot, authorities said.
Also on Sept. 3, a person told police that he was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 1:20 a.m. in the One Stop parking lot at 1102 White Oak Road. Two suspects then fled in his vehicle, which police said has since been recovered.
A third person told police told police on Sept. 3 that he was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 2 a.m. in the Lake Club Apartments at 400 N. Dupont Highway. He said the suspects ordered him to drive around and obtained an undisclosed amount of money from him before being dropped off a local hotel.
Another armed robbery was reported at 1:38 a.m. on Sunday in the Lake Club Apartments parking lot. Two suspects , one armed, demanded and received an undisclosed amount of money and property before fleeing. One of the suspects was wearing a black bag across his chest, police said.
According to police, officers located Mr. Payne and another male at approximately 2:51 a.m. in the St. Andrews Church parking lot at 425 N. Dupont Highway. Cpl. Schmid said the men matched the description of suspects in the robbery.
Mr. Payne was taken into custody without incident, police said, and an unidentified man fled on foot. A black bag containing a silver and black BB gun was found in the area where the man fled, and Mr. Payne was found in possession of property allegedly stolen from the man earlier.
Cpl. Schmid said Mr. Payne was linked to the Sept. 3 robberies based on how they were conducted and matching the clothing/physical description of the suspects in the robberies.
Charges against Mr. Payne included first-degree robbery (four counts), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (three counts), wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony (three counts), and second-degree conspiracy (four counts). He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $110,000 cash bail.
Police asked anyone with information on the case to call 302-736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
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