2 charged in attempted robbery of motel near Dover

James J. Meadowcroft Jr. (Photo: Delaware State Police)
James J. Meadowcroft Jr. (Photo: Delaware State Police)
Joseph A. Rompa (Photo: Delaware State Police)
Joseph A. Rompa (Photo: Delaware State Police)

DOVER, DELAWARE (12/6/2015) Two men were captured by Delaware State Police after the attempted robbery of a motel near Dover, authorities said Saturday.

The robbery attempt at the Microtel Motel, 1703 E. Lebanon Road, happened just after 7 p.m. Friday.

An armed man wearing a bandanna over his face confronted a female clerk, but she refused to turn over money.

The man then fled in a Ford Ranger pickup with someone else driving.

The clerk, who wasn’t injured, called police with a description.

Police said troopers located the pickup at U.S. 13 and Webbs Lane, and took the driver, identified as James J. Meadowcroft Jr., 55, of Felton, and Joseph A. Rompa, 36, of Dover, into custody.

Police said they found evidence in the truck linking the men to the robbery attempt.

Both men were charged with first-degree attempted robbery, aggravated menacing and first-degree conspiracy.

Rompa also was charged with wearing a disguise during commission of a felony. He was being held at Vaughn Correctional Institution near Smyrna in lieu of $55,000 cash bail.

Meadowcroft was being held at Vaughn in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.