Two arrested in pre-arranged home invasion in Millville

Millville, DE - The Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit has arrested two people involved in a home invasion near Millville.

The incident occurred Thursday around 1:00 A.M. when a 64-year-old male and a 19-year-old female acquaintance were asleep. Four suspects entered the room and assaulted the male before tying him up and covering his head with a blanket.

Police say the man was eventually able to free himself and call 9-1-1. He was transported to an area hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the female initially said she was covered with a blanket and dragged into the kitchen.

Further investigation, however, revealed that the female acquaintance had pre-arranged the robbery and was in contact with one of the suspects. Police have identified the female as Lauren Melton of Millville and the suspect she was in touch with as Stephen Wheeler, 22 of Dover. Police say they exchanged text messages before and after the home invasion.

Police have Melton and Wheeler in custody. The other suspects involved have not been identified yet and police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D.Cathell at 302-752-3793.