UPDATE: Arrest Made in Shooting Investigation
July 31, 2017 – The Newark Police Criminal Investigations
Unit has arrested 40 year old Thomas Ellerbe of Wilmington for the early morning
shooting and robbery at the Applebee’s parking lot in Suburban Plaza. Through
the use of both public and private surveillance cameras, detectives were able
to identify a suspect vehicle and its license plate as it fled from the scene
of the shooting. Armed with this information, detectives obtained a search
warrant and an arrest warrant for Thomas Ellerbe. On today’s date, at 6:00 a.m.,
The Newark/Middletown SWAT team, with the assistance of the Wilmington Police Department,
executed the search and arrest warrants in the 400 block of North Union Street,
Wilmington. Ellerbe was taken into custody without incident and transported to
Newark Police Headquarters. Evidence
obtained during the searches further linked Ellerbe to the incident. Thomas
Ellerbe was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to
Howard R. Young Correctional Institute in lieu of $210,000 cash bail.
Defendant:
Thomas Ellerbe, 40 year old
North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Charges:
Robbery 1st Degree
Assault 1st Degree
Attempted Kidnapping First Degree
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
Additional Details:
On Saturday July 29, 2017 at approximately 2:17 a.m. the 38
year old male victim was walking to his vehicle after closing the business when
he was approached by two unknown suspects. Both suspects were wearing masks
over their faces and one was armed with a handgun. The suspects attempted to
force the employee to go back into the business, when the victim refused, one
of the suspects shot the victim in the leg. The suspects then stole undisclosed
property from the victim and fled on foot. Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder transported
the victim to Christiana Hospital where he was treated and released.
This investigation is still on-going. Additional details
will be released as they become available.
Anyone with additional
information regarding this incident should contact Detective Daniel Bystricky
at 302-366-7100 extension 3136 or Dbystricky@newark.de.us
You can send
an anonymous text message tip by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at
1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at
www.tipsubmit.com where a reward may be
available.
The Newark Police Department
affirms that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.