A Wilmington man is now behind bars facing numerous charges after Delaware State Police connected him to an armed robbery that took place at a local grocery store last fall.
Authorities have charged 36-year-old Charles Carter with robbery and multiple related offenses stemming from the November incident at La Oaxaquena Grocery Store on North Maryland Avenue in Wilmington.
The robbery unfolded on November 14, 2025, around 3:30 in the afternoon when two men walked into the grocery store and ordered an employee to hand over cash. During the holdup, one of the robbers aimed a gun at both workers and shoppers inside the store. While attempting to reach across the counter, the armed individual stumbled and accidentally discharged the weapon once. Fortunately, nobody suffered injuries in the incident. The pair escaped with store money and personal items belonging to an employee before speeding away in a dark-colored car.
Law enforcement officers quickly determined the escape vehicle was a black Hyundai Elantra bearing Virginia license plates. The following evening, November 15, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., Wilmington Police spotted and pulled over the sedan. The driver was identified as Ignacio Reyes-Hernandez, who was subsequently arrested by State Police detectives as one of the robbery participants. Further investigation led authorities to identify Carter as the second suspect, prompting them to secure an arrest warrant.
Carter’s arrest came on January 12, 2026, when members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force stopped a Toyota Camry in which he was riding as a passenger. Officers took him into custody without any complications. A search of Carter revealed 9mm bullets and six oxycodone tablets on his person. Additional searching of the vehicle turned up roughly 0.68 grams of crack cocaine along with a digital scale. Investigators also linked Carter to multiple theft cases at both Concord Mall and Christiana Mall. The remaining individuals in the car were also arrested on lesser charges.
Following his arrest, Carter was transported to Troop 6 for processing. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 11 for arraignment and is currently being held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. His bail has been set at $78,280 in cash and secured bonds.
The extensive list of charges against Carter includes first-degree robbery, using a firearm while committing a felony, illegal firearm possession by a previously convicted felon, first-degree reckless endangering, two counts of aggravated menacing, wearing a disguise during a felony, three counts of second-degree conspiracy, felony shoplifting over $1,500, attempted felony shoplifting over $1,500, two counts of shoplifting under $1,500, two counts of third-degree conspiracy, two counts of controlled substance possession without prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
