Police make arrest in Sussex West home-invasion case
Delaware State Police detectives arrested the 36-year-old male who at first was considered a victim in a home invasion in which a woman was held captive in her Sussex West residence for 15 hours. According to a press release from state police spokesman Cpl. Bruce Harris, Michael Yang conspired with Christopher DiDio, the victim’s stepson, to hold the woman hostage while the two men pawned some of her property and stole money from her bank account. Investigators believe the pair had an agreement to split whatever money they obtained.
Initially, police believed DiDio was a victim. The woman and DiDio had gone to their garage at approximately 10 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12, to have a cigarette at the Whitehaven Way home. When they got to the door, it burst open when a masked suspect entered the residence and brandished a gun. According to the story at the time, there may have been two suspects who used duct tape to cover the woman’s eyes and restrain her.
Harris said it was at that point the first story and the subsequent investigation diverged. Harris said detectives learned the masked suspect was Yang, who had been a cellmate in a New York state prison with DiDio. Yang allegedly removed his mask after the woman was out of the way, revealing himself to DiDio, who is still on parole for his armed robbery conviction.
The woman escaped the next afternoon soon after her 24-year-old neighbor noticed the door on her home appeared to be kicked open. Concerned about the woman’s welfare, the neighbor went to check on her. When no one answered his knocks or answered when he yelled in the window, the neighbor entered the woman’s home. As soon as he was inside, Yang allegedly pointed a gun at him, and the two struggled, stated Harris in the release. The suspect struck the neighbor in the head with the gun several times, but the victim was able to escape and call 911 from a nearby home.
By that point, the woman had freed herself and fled from the home. The suspects were gone when police arrived, Harris stated. The female was treated for abrasions on her knee and ankle. The 24-year-old man required stitches for his head lacerations.
Harris said that as a result of the updated information obtained by detectives, DiDio was arrested Thursday, Sept. 16, for first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree conspiracy. DiDio was remanded to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $35,000 cash bond.
Harris stated warrants are also on file for Yang, 26, for the same charges DiDio is facing. Yang’s current whereabouts are unknown, but Delaware State Police are working with New York authorities because they have reason to believe Yang may have headed back to Queens, N.Y. Harris stated Yang is considered armed and dangerous. Police are asking anyone who sees him to call 911 or report his location to Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at tipsubmit.com. Callers may remain anonymous.
Source: Delaware State Police news release
