Dollar General robbery in Lewes threatens two employees

A 41-year-old woman was arrested after a masked robbery at the Dollar General on Savannah Road in Lewes on Jan. 13 that left two store employees threatened and shaken, Delaware State Police said.

Police said the incident took place around 7 p.m. when a masked woman approached two employees, implied she had a gun, demanded money and took cash from the register before fleeing in a Ford Focus. A short time later, a trooper located a disabled car matching the suspect vehicle and arrested the woman without incident. She was identified as Shelly Sortino and charged with first-degree robbery and wearing a disguise during a felony. Sortino was committed in default of a $33,000 secured bond.

For the employees on duty, the immediate impact was acute: they were confronted and threatened during their shift, then had to cope with the police response and the aftermath of a violent workplace incident. Robberies at convenience and discount retailers often create lingering safety concerns for associates, increase demand for counseling and time off, and prompt store management to review procedures for closing, cash handling and emergency alerts.

The arrest resolved the immediate threat, but the event underscores persistent risks faced by front-line retail workers. Stores with similar layouts and late hours are common targets, and workers can be left to manage the emotional and logistical fallout after a robbery. Employers typically respond by coordinating with law enforcement, offering support services to affected staff and assessing security measures such as surveillance, lighting and cash management protocols. The presence of a rapid trooper response in this case likely limited further harm, but it does not eliminate the need for longer term attention to employee safety.

The criminal charges against Sortino will proceed through the courts under Delaware law. For Dollar General associates and other retail workers in the area, the incident is a reminder to follow established safety policies, report concerns to management and request employer support if they experience trauma or need time away from work.

Local stores may face short term schedule disruptions or staffing strain as managers handle investigations and support for employees. The broader takeaway for workers is that encounters like this can prompt reviews of security and training at the store level, and employees should expect employers to communicate any changes meant to reduce risk.