Nike Outlet robbery suspect arrested
Delaware State Police arrested a Maryland man in connection to a robbery that occurred at approximately 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 1, at Nike in Tanger Outlets Bayside. Investigators are also seeking assistance from the public to identify and locate five other suspects who were involved in the crime.
According to a press release from Cpl. Bruce Harris, state police spokesman, six people entered the store, retrieved shopping bags and began loading merchandise into their individual bags.
Witnesses said the suspects then ran toward the front entrance of the store, where they knocked over a 58-year-old Lewes man who was in the process of exiting the store. The victim sustained minor bruises and did not require medical treatment, but his glasses were damaged when he was pushed into the door, Harris stated.
A store manager witnessing the altercation chased after the suspects and observed them drive out of the parking lot in a tan-colored van. As it fled, the van struck a concrete curb and became disabled. The suspects fled from the van on foot, ditching the stolen merchandise behind the Charlotte Russe store.
Troopers recovered shoes and other apparel valued at $784. Police were dispatched to West Rehoboth at about 11 p.m., that night, for a complaint of a suspicious person. When they contacted the person, troopers noted he matched the description of one of the suspects involved in the earlier robbery.
Police took Jermaine L. Ringgold into custody and charged him with first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree assault, shoplifting and two counts criminal mischief. Ringgold, 18, of Greensboro, Md., was released to his parents on $23,000 unsecured bond.
Harris said state police are still investigating the incident and are attempting to identify the other five individuals involved in the robbery. Witnesses described the suspects as black male teenagers.
An employee at The Athlete by Vernon Powell said the group had been in his store right before it went to Nike. He said two of the men were approximately 6-feet-2-inches tall, and a couple of the men in the group were wearing dark-colored – perhaps navy blue or black – hooded sweat shirts.
The employee also said one of his colleagues, who also works at Polo, reported some of the same men had on two previous occasions shoplifted items from Polo. Police are asking anyone with information to contact police. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement anonymously through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at tipsubmit.com.
Source: Delaware State Police news release; Cape Gazette reporter Ryan Mavity contributed to this report
