Full Notification

Wilmington Police have identified, arrested and charged an 18-year-old New Castle man in connection with a home invasion and related offenses.

On March 9 at approximately 5:44 p.m., police were called to the 400 block of West 8^th Street, where they learned that a suspect had entered an apartment there and displayed a handgun to everyone inside. The suspect then forced one of the victims into a bedroom and demanded money. When the suspect was unable to locate any money, he stole a pack of cigarettes and fled.

Through investigative measures, police were able to identify the suspect as 18-year-old Dawan Devlin, who was previously arrested by Wilmington Police and charged with resisting arrest and drug offenses on February 23 after a foot pursuit. Arrest warrants were obtained and information about Devlin was shared with all officers.

On the next day, March 10, at approximately 2:02 p.m., officers familiar with Devlin located him in the 500 block of East 8^th Street. When officers made contact, Devlin fled and was taken into custody after a foot pursuit.

During the foot pursuit, Devlin discarded a loaded firearm, which was recovered by police. He was also found to have a small amount of marijuana in his possession.

Devlin has been charged with the following offenses:

·         Robbery (First Degree)

·         Home Invasion

·         Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

·         Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2 Counts)

·         Aggravated Menacing (4 Counts)

·         Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon

·         Resisting Arrest

Devlin has been committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $156,000 cash-only bail.

Chief Robert J. Tracy commended the efforts of patrol officers in identifying and locating Devlin less than one day following the home invasion incident.

“Our patrol officers work in the same area each time they report for duty, and they get to know these neighborhoods,” said Chief Tracy. “This familiarity not only bolsters relationships between police officers and the community, but also helps lead to the prompt apprehension of violent offenders like this man.”