Two men are in custody after police say an alleged drug dealer turned the tables on an armed home invader.
It happened sometime between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning at the Farrand Village Apartment complex on Deville Court in New Castle County, Delaware.
Police say Trimell Heyward, 36, received a call from someone who wanted to buy illegal drugs. Heyward is a known drug dealer who completes drug deals from his home, according to investigators. Police say Heyward heard a knock at the door and responded to the front entrance of his apartment. Seconds later, Darrell Robinson, 25, who also lives at Farrand Vilage, allegedly forced his way inside while armed with a handgun.
Investigators say both men began to fight and entered the kitchen. During the struggle, Heyward tried to take the gun from Robinson but failed to do so, according to police. Heyward then allegedly grabbed a nearby machete and swung it at Robinson, striking the hand that was holding the gun.
Police say Heyward gained control of the situation and attempted to “teach Robinson a lesson.” Officers responding to a report of the incident arrived at the apartment before he could however, according to investigators.
When police entered the home, they say they found Robinson lying on the kitchen floor, partially naked with his ankles bound with a phone cord. They also say they saw a pot of boiling water on the stove that they believe Heyward planned to pour on Robinson.
Medical crews treated Robinson for his injuries as police took Heyward into custody without incident. Police say they also smelled marijuana coming from the interior of the apartment as they secured the crime scene.
Police executed a search warrant and found a backpack in an apartment bedroom containing crack cocaine, Xanax pills, Flexeril pills, Oxycodone pills, Oxycontin pills, marijuana and other illegal drugs, all packaged for sale, according to investigators.
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Robinson was arrested and charged with attempted robbery, burglary, home invasion and other related offenses. He was arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $38,000 secured bail. He was also ordered to have no contact with Heyward.
Heyward was arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, possessing with intent to deliver and other related offenses. He was arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $52,300 secured bail. He was also ordered to have no contact with Robinson.
