On March 26, 2022 at approximately 8:05P.M Middletown Police with the assistance of New Castle County Police responded to the Village Wine and Spirits (211 Middletown Warwick Rd) for the report of an attempted robbery with a weapon. On scene police learned that the suspect entered the establishment wearing a mask and a hood over his face. The suspect pulled a black handgun and demanded the two clerks open the register.     

 One of the clerks was able to pull their own weapon at which point an exchange of gunfire occurred. The suspect fled the store without any proceeds. Nobody was struck during the exchange. The suspect fled in a Red Dodge Journey with black rims.  

 Middletown Police developed Michael Cherry (35 years old) of Norfolk Va as a suspect. On March 28, 2022 Police located Cherry and his vehicle in a local hotel. Police apprehended Cherry without incident. Police served search warrants on Cherry’s vehicle and hotel room where they recovered a 9mm pistol and clothing used in the robbery.     

 Cherry is a person prohibited from owning firearms.  

 Cherry was arraigned and issued a $118,000 cash bond on charges of attempted robbery 1^st, reckless endangering1st, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony. He failed to post bond and was committed to Howard Young Correctional.