Troopers Arrest Three Men Following Burglary and Pursuit in Sussex County, Searching for Another

Delaware State Police have arrested 34-year-old Richard Francis of Hanover Maryland, 20-year-old Marcus Gallmon of Washington, D.C., and 20-year-old Ilon Melson of Washington, D.C, for multiple felony offenses following a burglary and pursuit.

On September 27, 2024, at approximately 2:35 a.m., a trooper patrolling Coastal Highway northbound near Westcoats Road saw a black Honda CRV swerving all over the road. The trooper attempted to pull the Honda over, but it sped away and a pursuit ensued. A short time later, troopers were notified of a burglar alarm at Chic at the Beach, located at 18259 Coastal Highway in Lewes. It was reported that four unknown suspects, operating a black Honda CRV, forced entry into the business and stole merchandise. During the pursuit, the Honda drove recklessly and at a high rate of speed on Coastal Highway and several roads before crashing into an unoccupied vehicle at a residence on the 700 block of Ponder Avenue in Ellendale. After the crash, the driver, later identified as Ilon Melson, was taken into custody. Two suspects, later identified as Marcus Galmon and Richard Francis, fled the scene but were ultimately taken into custody. Troopers are working to identify and locate the fourth suspect.

During the investigation, troopers observed stolen merchandise from the business in the Honda.

Melson and Francis were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries they received as a result of the crash. After Melson was released from the hospital he, as well as Gallmon, were taken to Troop 7 where they were charged with multiple crimes. Francis remains hospitalized and in the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction.

Richard Francis was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and is in the custody of the Department of Correction on a $30,000 cash bond.

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• Burglary 3 ^rd Degree (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Theft over $1,500 (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief over $5,000 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2 ^nd Degree (Felony)

Marcus Gallmon was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,000 cash bond.

• Burglary 3 ^rd Degree (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Theft over $1,500 (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief over $5,000 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2 ^nd Degree (Felony)

Ilon Melson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,000 cash bond.

• Burglary 3 ^rd Degree (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Theft over $1,500 (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief over $5,000 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2 ^nd Degree (Felony)
• Additional Traffic Charges are Pending

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