DELAWARE STATE POLICE NEWS BEAT: Wuhan Wahoo’s Theodore Shields & Melissa Hawkins decided to carry out the cash from three restaurants
WILMINGTON, DEL. – A couple of Pennsylvania Wuhan Wahoo’s went on a robbery spree in Delaware, reports the Delaware State Police, and not being able to dine in, they decided to order take out – the cash.
Police say that they have arrested Theodore D. Shields, 27, and Melissa L. Hawkins, 29, both of Coatesville, PA, in connection with a recent string of armed robberies.
Shields has been pursuing a life of crime since 2013 when at the age of 19, he was charged in a burglary by Harrington Police in Delaware.
The investigation began on March 28, 2020, when Troopers responded to the El Diablo restaurant, located 1812 Marsh Rd., Wilmington, Del., for a robbery, in which a male suspect implied that he was armed and then made off with a tip jar that was on the counter.
During this robbery attempt, the suspect assaulted one of the employees by striking them with a handgun
A second incident occurred on March 31, at the Pizza Pasta Restaurant, located at 1505 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle. During this robbery attempt, the suspect assaulted one of the employees by striking them with a handgun before fleeing without obtaining any money or property.
The third robbery in the string occurred on April 3 at the Hotspot Pizzeria, located at 1127 Churchman’s Rd., Newark, during which the suspect displayed a handgun and fled with a tip jar.
During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to confirm that the same suspect, later identified as Shields, was responsible for all three robberies. Through further investigative measures, they were also able to develop a white, Mazda 626 with Delaware tags as a vehicle involved in the robberies, which was positively linked to Hawkins.
On Saturday, April 4, 2020 a Delaware State Police patrol Trooper located the Mazda at the Exxon gas station in Newport. Both Shields and Hawkins were in the vehicle at the time of the stop and were taken into custody without incident.
During a search of the Mazda, evidence was recovered further linking Shields to the robberies. One piece of evidence recovered was a silver and black handgun which was confirmed to be the weapon used in the robberies. The weapon was ultimately determined to be a BB gun. Detectives were also able to confirm that Hawkins was the getaway driver during all three robberies.
Theodore D. Shields was charged with the following:
- Robbery 1st Degree (3 counts)
- Attempted Robbery 1st Degree (3 counts)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (3 counts)
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
- Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (2 counts)
- Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony
- Assault 3rd Degree
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $169,500.00 secured bail.
Melissa L. Hawkins was charged with the following:
- Robbery 1st Degree (2 counts)
- Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (3 counts)
She was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $44,500.00 unsecured bond.
WBOC published this story on Jan. 3, 2013:
Theodore Shields charged in
burglary and theft of guns
HARRINGTON, Del.- A 19-year-old Harrington man is facing multiple charges following accusations that he stole firearms and a TV during a burglary that occurred back in fall.
Theodore Shields was arrested Thursday by Harrington police and charged with five counts of theft of a firearm, second-degree degree, second-degree conspiracy, criminal mischief under $1,500 and theft under $1,500.
According to police, Shields’ arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred in October when officers responded to a burglary complaint on Meadow Wood Lane. When officers arrived they determined that someone entered the home by breaking a window and while inside the removed five firearms and a TV.
The case was turned over to departmental detectives who ultimately identified Shields as the suspect.
Following Shields’ arrest on the aforementioned charges, he was released on a $12,000 unsecured bond.