Two arrested for robbery at knifepoint in Delaware

Members of the Delaware State Police say they have arrested two men in connection with a robbery that happened east of Seaford.

According to investigators, the incident happened Saturday around 6:10PM, as troopers responded to Middleford Road, near the VFW, for a report of an armed robbery utilizing a knife. The victim, a 46-year-old from Ellendale, told troopers they were contacted by one of the suspects, identified as James “TJ” Ritchie, 27, of Laurel, who was in town and apparently wanted to meet with him.

The victim says they got a ride to the Food Lion in Laurel in order to meet the suspect. The victim then got into Ritchie’s car, which contained both Ritchie and another passenger identified as Justin S. Poole, 30, of Maryland, to get a ride to a friend’s house in Seaford. During the drive, Ritchie allegedly demanded money from the victim. When the victim refused, they told troopers that Poole pulled a knife on him, and a struggle began as Ritchie was making threatening statements towards the victim.

According to the report, the suspects were able to get money and prescription medication from the victim. After the incident, the victim was able to get out of the car, run across the road, and call 9-1-1 to report the robbery. Both of the suspects then drove off in the car, but were found by troopers a short time later. The victim was not reported to have been injured in this incident.

Both Ritchie and Poole were taken into custody without incident, and were transported to Troop 4, Georgetown where detectives formally charged them with robbery 1st degree, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and conspiracy 2nd.  Both were committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $75,000 secured bond.