Seaford man arrested and charged with attempted robbery of M&T Bank

SEAFORD, Del. – A Seaford man is behind bars after police say he tried to rob M&T Bank.

According to the Seaford Police Department, around 10 a.m., Friday officers were called to the M&T Bank located on W. Stein Highway for reports of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers met with witnesses who said the incident started after employees noticed a man sitting in the lobby wearing all black clothing, a black hat, sunglasses, and a blue surgical mask.

A bank employee made contact with the man and saw what appeared to be a demand note, according to police. It was at that point that the employee activated a silent alarm and the suspect fled the bank headed eastbound on Stein Highway.

Following the incident, Central Elementary School, Seaford Middle School, and Seaford High School were all notified and placed on lockdown.

Delaware State Police Aviation, Laurel Police K-9, and Blades Police assisted in the search for the suspect. While searching, police say they spotted a suspect matching the description of the man from the bank. All units then focused on the area near the Pizza King where officers located a man walking along the railroad tracks near Stein Highway bridge.

As police made contact with the suspect, they noticed blue surgical mask hanging out of his pocket. The suspect was later identified as 46-year-old Cornell Bailey, of Seaford, who was wanted on a violation of probation capias for first degree robbery and absconding.

Police say a demand letter was later located by a citizen. As police investigated the incident and questioned Bailey, they say he admitted that his intent was to commit the act of robbery.

A warrant was obtained for Bailey’s arrest on first degree attempted robbery charges. He has since been committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $67,000 cash bond.