(DOVER, Del.)- Delaware State Police have arrested two men following the attempted robbery of a Dover area motel which occurred Friday evening.
The incident occurred yesterday, Friday, December 4, 2015 at approximately 7:13 p.m., as a male suspect entered the Microtel Motel located at 1703 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. The suspect, who was armed with what appeared to be a handgun, and who also had a bandana covering his face, confronted the female clerk. He then demanded money, however, the clerk refused to comply with his demand. The suspect then fled from the motel and entered the passenger side of a black Ford Ranger, which then fled from the motel parking lot. The female clerk, who was not injured, contacted 9-1-1 and was able to provide call takers with a description of the fleeing vehicle.
A short time later, responding troopers located the Ford traveling in the area of US Rt. 13 and Webbs Lane, Dover, and conducted a vehicle stop of it. Troopers were able to take the operator of the vehicle, later identified as James J. Meadowcroft, Jr., 55, of Felton, DE (pictured in plaid shirt), and Joseph A. Rompa, 36, of Dover, DE into custody. They also located evidence linking the pair to the attempted robbery inside of the vehicle.
Both Rompa and Meadowcroft were arrested and transported to Troop 3. Joseph Rompa was charged by troopers with Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, Aggravated Menacing, Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy 1st Degree. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $55,000.00 cash bail.
James Meadowcroft was charged with Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, Aggravated Menacing, and Conspiracy 1st Degree. He was also arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $50,000.00 cash bail.