NEWARK, DE — Two Maryland residents face a series of felony charges after Delaware State Police linked them to seven alleged retail theft incidents and an attempted robbery at businesses in Newark and Bear.
According to state police, the investigation began after troopers responded to the Home Depot at 2000 Peoples Plaza in Bear at approximately 2:20 p.m. June 29 for a reported shoplifting.
Investigators allege that Haley Barton, 25, loaded a shopping cart with more than $800 worth of power tools and equipment before leaving the store and heading toward a pickup truck driven by Matthew Osborne, 37. Police said customers followed Barton and recorded the incident, prompting her to abandon most of the merchandise before the pair fled.
On July 9, Osborne allegedly took more than $260 worth of merchandise from the ShopRite at 700 Plaza Drive in Newark before leaving in a pickup truck driven by Barton, according to police.
State police allege that Osborne and Barton then stole more than $930 worth of power tools and equipment from the Lowe’s at 3000 Ogletown Road on July 12.
After leaving Lowe’s, the pair allegedly went to the ShopRite at 19 Chestnut Hill Plaza, where Osborne filled a cart with more than $470 worth of merchandise and walked outside, police said. Investigators allege Barton entered the store to retrieve the cart, but its anti-theft wheels locked before she could leave. The pair then fled without the merchandise.
Later that evening, Osborne allegedly returned to the ShopRite at 700 Plaza Drive and took more than $240 worth of merchandise, according to police.
Investigators also linked the pair to the alleged theft of airsoft rifles valued at more than $560 from Cabela’s at 1100 Christiana Mall Road on July 16. Police further allege they stole more than $340 worth of power tools and equipment from the Ogletown Road Lowe’s on July 23.
The final reported incident occurred at approximately 7 p.m. July 27 at the ShopRite at 19 Chestnut Hill Road. Police allege Barton attempted to leave with more than $200 worth of merchandise before store employees recognized and confronted her.
During the resulting struggle, Barton allegedly pepper-sprayed an employee while Osborne entered the store to help her escape, according to investigators.
State police said detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit linked Osborne and Barton to the incidents and obtained warrants for their arrests. Both were arrested July 29 in North East, Maryland, and are awaiting extradition to Delaware.
Osborne is expected to face charges including attempted first-degree robbery, four counts each of possession of shoplifters’ tools, second-degree conspiracy and organized retail theft, as well as additional attempted theft, shoplifting and conspiracy charges.
Barton is expected to face charges including attempted first-degree robbery, four counts each of possession of shoplifters’ tools, second-degree conspiracy and organized retail theft, one count of carrying a concealed dangerous instrument, attempted organized retail theft, shoplifting and three counts of third-degree conspiracy.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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