Arrest in series of gas station robberies – First update from the state

Delaware State Police have arrested Joshua Liebal, 38, of Wilmington in connection with a series of armed robberies at gas stations in New Castle County this week.

Officials said that on August 28, 2024, at approximately 8:10 p.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at the Star gas station at 3927 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed that a masked white male suspect entered the gas station, approached an employee at the cash register and, with a knife in his hand, demanded that the employee open the cash register.

After the clerk complied, the suspect, still holding the knife, went behind the counter and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, according to police. The suspect then fled in a silver GMC Envoy toward Evelyn Drive.

An officer canvassing the area noticed a silver GMC Envoy traveling toward Kirkwood Highway and stopped the vehicle. The officer made contact with the driver of the Envoy and noted that his clothing matched the description of the robbery suspect. The driver, identified as Joshua Liebal, was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Liebal matched the description of the suspect responsible for similar armed robberies that occurred at several gas stations in New Castle County over the past two days, police said. Liebal was eventually identified as the suspect involved in the armed robbery of the Valero gas station on Aug. 26, 2024, and the armed robbery of the Liberty gas station on Aug. 27, 2024. Charges are pending for both incidents. Detectives also learned that Liebal had an unknown co-conspirator. In addition, a computer query revealed that Liebal had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for shoplifting that occurred on July 24, 2024, at the Weis Markets located at 24832 John J. Williams Highway in Millsboro.

Liebal was transported to Squad 2, where he was charged with multiple felonies, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace of Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $64,000 bail. The charges include 1st degree robbery (aggravated felony), 2nd degree conspiracy (aggravated felony), shoplifting under $1,500, and 3rd degree conspiracy.

County police have not said whether Liebal is a suspect in connection with the Valero robbery on Centerville Road that occurred Monday night.