Newark police charge couple in Exxon robbery

Shawn A. McIlvain
Shawn A. McIlvain
Maegan R. Elwood
Maegan R. Elwood

NEWARK, DELAWARE (6/25/2015) City police have charged a couple already jailed in connection with similar crimes in New Castle County with robbing an Exxon gas station in Newark.

The Exxon robbery happened May 11 at 820 S. College Ave.

Detectives reviewing surveillance video from the business observed that a woman had entered the store and left without making a purchase shortly before the robbery, Lt. Bill Hargrove said Tuesday. A man then entered with a handgun, threatened the clerk and demanded cash and cigarettes before fleeing.

After Delaware State Police arrested Shawn A. McIlvain and Maegan R. Elwood earlier this month, detectives from Newark and state police linked the pair to the Exxon robbery on College Avenue.

“Elwood is in a relationship with McIlvain and had served as the lookout and getaway driver in several of the robberies including the Exxon,” Hargrove said.

McIlvain, 31, and Elwood, 25, both of New Castle, were charged Monday with robbery and conspiracy in the Newark crime.  McIlvain also was charged with weapon counts and wearing a disguise.

Both already were incarcerated on the state police charges for the earlier robberies that had occurred over several months, Hargrove said. Additional bail for McIlvain was set at $138,000 and for Elwood was set at $22,000.