NEW CASTLE, DE — Delaware State Police have apprehended 21-year-old Adrien Owens of New Castle on multiple felony charges stemming from a robbery at a local Royal Farms store. The incident, which initiated the investigation, occurred on June 25, 2024.
According to the Delaware State Police, the event unfolded at approximately 11:28 a.m. at the Royal Farms located at 2160 New Castle Avenue. An unknown suspect, later identified as Owens, was reported to have stolen food items and assaulted a store employee in the parking lot before fleeing the scene in a black Chrysler sedan.
Troop 2 Robbery Detectives successfully identified Owens as the suspect through investigative efforts and obtained an arrest warrant. On July 10, 2024, Owens was located along with the vehicle involved. A brief struggle occurred as detectives attempted to arrest him, during which Owens tried to reach for a black bag he was carrying. This bag was later found to contain a loaded Polymer80 ghost gun with a high-capacity magazine holding 32 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
A subsequent computer check revealed that Owens, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. Following his arrest, Owens was charged with robbery, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, resisting arrest, and other related offenses. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and is currently held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $62,500 cash bond.