Three men charged in burglary of Route 1 business, fourth sought

Two Washington, D.C. men and one from Maryland face felony charges after police say the stole goods from a Route 1 business Sept. 27 before speeding away and crashing in Ellendale. A fourth person is sought in the incident.

Police patrolling Route 1 near Wescoats Road at 2:35 a.m. saw a black Honda CRV swerving on the roadway, and it sped away when police tried to stop the vehicle. About the same time, police said, they were notified of a burglar alarm at Chic at the Beach, 18259 Coastal Highway, near Lewes, and learned that four people broke into the business and stole merchandise before speeding away in a black Honda CRV.

During the pursuit of the Honda, police said, the driver speeded recklessly on Route 1 and other roadways before crashing into an unoccupied vehicle in the 700 block of Ponder Avenue, Ellendale. The driver, Ilon Melson, 20, of Washington, D.C., was taken into custody. Two others, Marcus Gallmon, 20, of Washington, D.C., and Richard Francis, 34, of Hanover, Md., fled the scene but were eventually arrested. Police said they are trying to identify the fourth suspect.

Police said stolen merchandise from the business was inside the vehicle.

Melson and Francis were taken to an area hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries, where Francis remains hospitalized and in the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction.

All three were charged with third-degree burglary, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, theft over $1,500, criminal mischief over $1,500 and second-degree conspiracy. Melson also faces traffic violations.

They were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and are in the custody of the Department of Correction in default of $30,000 cash bond.

Editor’s note: Delaware State Police did not provide a photo of Richard Francis.