Teen turns himself in after Claymont McDonald’s robbery as second suspect remains on the run
CLAYMONT, DE – A bag-snatching robbery during what was supposed to be a sale meetup inside a McDonald’s turned into a police investigation that led to one teenager surrendering — while another suspect continues to evade arrest.
It all unfolded on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 8, around 4:30 p.m. at the McDonald’s on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, where two males met a victim under the pretense of buying an item he was selling. But instead of money changing hands, the interaction turned into a struggle when one suspect grabbed the victim’s bag. One of the suspects allegedly gestured toward his waistband, implying he had a firearm, prompting the victim to let go of the bag before both suspects fled with it on foot.
The victim was not injured.
Following an investigation, Delaware State Police identified the suspects as a 17-year-old male and 19-year-old Avery Quartlebaum, both from Claymont. Arrest warrants were issued for both.
On Tuesday, the 17-year-old turned himself in at Troop 1 with a parent present. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and charged with felony second-degree robbery and felony second-degree conspiracy. He is currently being held at the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families on a $7,000 secured bond.
Quartlebaum remains at large and is also wanted on the same felony charges.
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Quartlebaum and have provided multiple contact methods, including Delaware Crime Stoppers and social media.