Media, PA – The Office of the District Attorney and the City of Chester Police Department announced the arrest of Wanyaa Powell, 20, of Chester, on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, theft, and related charges, including firearms charges, in connection with an incident that occurred in Chester in the early morning hours of December 30, 2020.
On December 30, 2020, Chester Police detectives responded to a report of a gunshot victim at Crozier Chester Medical Center. The victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the back of the neck. The victim was able to identify the shooter as Wanyaa Powell. The victim told detectives that after shooting the victim, he instructed the victim to turn around, stating “I gotta kill you bro, because I don’t want to go to jail.” Powell then removed the victim’s Xbox, cell phone, and car keys and fled the scene.
Upon investigation, detectives were able to confirm that the defendant had outstanding warrants for his arrest, one out of the City of Chester for drug violations, and a second warrant out of Salem County, NJ, for robbery.
An investigation was conducted by Chester Detective Benjamin Thomas. As a result of his investigation, a search warrant was executed on the defendant’s home, and property belonging to the victim was recovered from the residence.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer stated “Detective Thomas of the City of Chester Police
Department is to be commended for his work in bringing this perpetrator to justice. The
defendant had not one, but two, outstanding warrants for his arrest. Getting this
defendant off our streets is a positive step for the community, and it is a credit to the
investigative skill of Detective Thomas that he was able to make this arrest.”
Powell was arraigned by District Justice Vincent D. Gallagher, and his bail was set at 10% of $750,000.00. Powell was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he will await a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 24, 2021.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For more information contact Margie McAboy, Public Information Officer, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.