WILMINGTON, DE — A Wilmington man is accused of orchestrating a months-long organized retail theft operation that investigators say targeted major retailers across New Castle County and resulted in the recovery of more than $70,000 in suspected stolen merchandise.
According to the Delaware State Police, the investigation began in March when detectives received information alleging that Eric Tillman, 65, of Wilmington, was recruiting individuals struggling with drug addiction to steal merchandise from retail stores in exchange for a fraction of the items’ retail value.
Investigators said the alleged scheme targeted numerous businesses throughout New Castle County, including stores operated by Giant Food, Walgreens, CVS, Target and the Kenny Family ShopRites.
According to state police, detectives, working with the New Jersey State Police Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office and loss prevention personnel from the affected retailers, determined that Tillman allegedly transported stolen merchandise to a storage unit in New Jersey before reselling the items at flea markets in the state.
Police said detectives located Tillman in Wilmington on June 8 and took him into custody without incident.
Following the arrest, investigators executed search warrants at Tillman’s Wilmington residence, a storage unit in New Jersey and two vehicles. According to state police, detectives recovered approximately 4,317 items of suspected stolen merchandise with an estimated retail value of $70,292.36.
Tillman was charged with theft organized retail crime, receiving stolen property and second-degree conspiracy, all felonies.
Court records show he was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and released on an $8,000 unsecured bond.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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