2 from Delco arrested in home-invasion robbery in West Chester

Jahnai Rawls and Shelby Himes

A man and a woman from Delaware County were arrested over the weekend in connection with the Aug. 16 armed home invasion robbery of a residence on Matlack Street in West Chester.

Arrested were Jahnai Rawls, 20, of Aston and Shelby Himes, 21, of Upper Chichester, following a months-long investigation by authorities.

According to West Chester police, the robbery took place on Aug. 16 around 10 p.m. along the 500 block of Matlack Street. Police said two men, one armed with a handgun, forced their way into the off-campus apartment of a student enrolled at West Chester University.

Police said the victim was held up at gunpoint while the apartment was ransacked. Both suspects displayed guns. The men then stole the victim’s ID before fleeing the scene.

Police said they believe the pair hit a second residence about three blocks away on the 700 block of South Walnut Street. The men first spoke to the student, followed him and then forced him into his apartment, police said. They then ransacked the apartment before fleeing the scene. Nothing was taken during the second incident, police said.

Rawls was sent to Delaware County prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. Himes was released on $75,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing later in November.

Immediately after the crime, police had issued a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information on either of these crimes is asked to contact the West Chester Police Department at 610-696-2700.