One Suspect Arrested and One Remains At-Large Following Shoplifting Turned Robbery

Delaware State Police have arrested 40-year-old Veronica Lewis of Perry Point, MD for attempted robbery and related charges following an investigation that began on Saturday night.

On May 13, 2023, at approximately 6:35 p.m., troopers responded to the Macy’s in the Christiana mall located at 501 Mall Road, Newark, regarding a shoplifting turned attempted robbery. The ensuing investigation revealed that Lewis attempted to exit the store with a bag of stolen merchandise and was confronted an asset protection employee. As Lewis was apprehended, she dropped the bag of stolen merchandise, and a male suspect traveling with her, later identified as Thomas Donnelly, 41 of Perry Point, MD, assaulted the employee and grabbed the stolen merchandise. The male attempted to run with the stolen goods but was confronted by a second employee. The male physically assaulted the second employee, dropped the bag of stolen merchandise, and fled to the parking lot. Upon troopers’ arrival, the male suspect fled on foot onto northbound Interstate 95. A continued search of the area for the suspect was unsuccessful. Further investigation revealed the suspects drove to the mall and parked Donnelly’s vehicle in the mall parking lot.

Subsequently, a search warrant was executed on the vehicle which led to the identification of Thomas Donnelly and the discovery of drug paraphernalia and approximately 5.64 grams of methamphetamine.

Lewis was transported to Troop 6 where she was charged with the following crimes:

Attempted Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Hindering Prosecution (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Lewis was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on a $7,000 unsecured bond.

Donnelly has not been located at this time. Donnelly currently has an arrest warrant for the following crimes:

Attempted Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Possession of Controlled Substances in Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Assault Third Degree – 2 counts
Resisting Arrest
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Thomas Donnelly is asked to contact Corporal B. Wingate of Delaware State Police Troop 6 at 302-633-5000 or by calling 911. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].

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