Hero helps foil robbery in Upper Chichester
UPPER CHICHESTER >> A Delaware man is charged in a robbery at an Exxon gas station that netted him $130 and a new address – the Delaware County prison, at least temporarily.
Robert R. Jones, 55, of Wilmington, has been incarcerated since his Feb. 23 arrest, a short time after the robbery was reported at the gas station at 2303 Market St. Jones’ bail was set at $100,000 cash, which he failed to post, according to online court records.
Authorities are crediting an 18-year-old township man, Harry Baldwin, for his quick response in tackling Jones to the ground just minutes after the heist, and detaining him until police arrived.
“I gave him two steps out of the door and I just hip-tossed him,” Baldwin said Tuesday, recalling his heroics. He noted that the suspect had the cash in his hand, “all crumpled up.”
During a struggle in which Jones was trying to break free, Baldwin said he chipped a tooth and suffered abrasions on his hands, arms and legs.
It was about 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 when township Police Officer Kevin J. Mitchell responded to the scene for a robbery that just occurred and a man wearing a black-and-white shirt being pinned in the parking lot.
Mitchell arrived to find an individual attempting to restrain the man in the black-and-white shirt, who was identified as Jones.
According to a statement from a female Exxon employee, Jones entered the station store and bought a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, handing her a $5 bill. When she opened the cash register to deposit the $5 bill, she said Jones “reached over the counter and through the window, plunging his hands into the cash drawer,” the affidavit of probable cause for Jones’ arrest states.
When she grabbed his hands to stop him from removing the money, Jones allegedly “overpowered” the employee and grabbed a handful of bills from the drawer. Jones then fled into the parking lot where he was apprehended and detained by Baldwin.
Baldwin told police he was exiting as Jones was entering the store, according to the affidavit. Baldwin, who had just purchased cigarettes, was standing outside when he heard the Exxon employee scream.
According to the affidavit, Baldwin told police he saw Jones reaching over the counter and through the window, and he also heard the employee saying, “No.” Baldwin also told police he saw Jones struggling with the employee and that when Jones ran outside, he tackled him to the ground.
Baldwin struggled with Jones to stop him from fleeing, the affidavit states. During the struggle, Jones dropped the stolen cash and said, “Let me go,” the affidavit states. As Baldwin was trying to detain the suspect, the suspect allegedly struck Jones in the face and grabbed him.
“He was struggling. I wasn’t,” Baldwin said Tuesday night. “He was trying to get away but I wouldn’t let him.”
At 5-feet 9-inches tall and 165 pounds, Baldwin is about an inch and 20 pounds up on the suspect.
Police placed Jones under arrest. During a search of Jones, three small baggies that contained what police described as suspected cocaine were removed from his pants. Two glass tubes containing a burnt residue were also recovered, the affidavit states.
Charges filed against Jones include robbery involving threat or immediate serious injury, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, simple assault, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing is listed for March 7 before Magisterial District Judge David R. Griffin.
Tuesday night, Baldwin said he’d never before done anything like this, and he’s glad he was in the right place at the right time.
Noting that he lives close by and frequents the gas store, he said, “Everyone who works there I know very well.”
By his estimate, the ordeal lasted about 15 minutes.
Baldwin, a very polite interviewee who is in the process of searching for a job, shared his professional aspirations.
“I want to be a police officer,” he said.
Upper Chichester Police Detective Christopher Jones said while Baldwin’s moves in detaining the suspect are appreciated, authorities do not encourage civilians to take such actions.
“We would rather have someone be a good witness and not get hurt,” he said.
Baldwin struggled with Jones to stop him from fleeing, the affidavit states. During the struggle, Jones dropped the stolen cash and said, “Let me go,” the affidavit states. As Baldwin was trying to detain the suspect, the suspect allegedly struck Jones in the face and grabbed him.