A violent armed robbery at a grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware, has culminated in the arrest of two suspects following a comprehensive investigation by the Delaware State Police. The incident occurred on **November 14, 2025**, at approximately **3:30 p.m.** when police received a report of an armed robbery at the La Oaxaquena Grocery Store, located at **107 North Maryland Avenue**.
According to the police, two unknown men entered the store and demanded cash from an employee. During the confrontation, one suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at customers and staff. The situation escalated when the armed suspect lost his footing while reaching over the counter and accidentally discharged the firearm, though fortunately, no injuries were reported. After the robbery, the suspects allegedly fled the scene with cash and personal items belonging to an employee, escaping in a dark-colored sedan.
Investigators later identified the getaway vehicle as a black **Hyundai Elantra** with Virginia license plates. Just one day later, on **November 15, 2025**, at around **21:00**, Wilmington Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as **Ignacio Reyes-Hernandez**, who investigators believe was one of the robbery suspects. He was taken into custody as the investigation progressed.
Second Suspect Arrested After Traffic Stop
Further investigative efforts led detectives to identify **Charles Carter**, a **36-year-old** resident of Wilmington, as the second suspect in the case. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and on **January 12, 2026**, members of the **New Castle County Governor’s Task Force** stopped a **Toyota Camry** in which Carter was a passenger. He was arrested without incident.
During a search, authorities allegedly discovered **9mm ammunition** and six **oxycodone pills** on Carter’s person. A further search of the vehicle yielded approximately **0.68 grams** of crack cocaine and a digital scale. Additionally, Carter is reportedly linked to a series of shoplifting incidents at both **Concord Mall** and **Christiana Mall**. The other occupants of the vehicle faced unrelated misdemeanor charges.
Following his arrest, Carter was transported to **Troop 6**, where he was formally charged and arraigned in **Justice of the Peace Court 11**. He has been committed to the **Howard R. Young Correctional Institution** on a total of **$78,280** in combined cash and secured bonds. The charges against him are extensive and include **first-degree robbery**, multiple firearms-related felonies, reckless endangering, aggravated menacing, conspiracy, and drug possession, among others.
All allegations against Carter and Reyes-Hernandez are currently under judicial review, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
As the investigation continues, the Delaware State Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward.
