West Side Burglary Spree Suspect Caught Inside Vacant Home

Jimmie Hayes
Jimmie Hayes /Submitted Image

WILMINGTON, DE — A 50-year-old man wanted in multiple jurisdictions was taken into custody early Wednesday following an investigation into a series of commercial burglaries on the city’s West Side, according to police.

Wilmington Police said the arrest occurred April 29 at approximately 3 a.m., when members of the Criminal Investigations Division were in the area of 4th and Jackson streets as part of an ongoing probe into burglaries affecting businesses west of Interstate 95.

According to police, officers were alerted to an attempted burglary in the 1000 block of West 4th Street. Investigators reported that further inquiry led them to locate a suspect inside a vacant residence in the 1000 block of Read Street.

Police identified the suspect as Jimmie Hayes, 50, who was wanted on multiple unrelated matters in several jurisdictions.

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Authorities said Hayes was taken into custody without incident, and investigators reported recovering proceeds believed to be connected to multiple burglary incidents.

According to investigators, Hayes is accused of being involved in nine burglary incidents and two attempted burglaries across several locations, including the 1000 block of West 4th Street, the 1400 block of Lancaster Avenue, the 100 block of North Lincoln Street, the 1800 block of West 3rd Street, the 400 block of North DuPont Street, the 800 block of North Market Street, and the 300 block of North Union Street.

Hayes has been charged with eight counts of third-degree burglary, five counts of theft under $1,500, two counts of criminal mischief under $1,000, seven counts of criminal mischief over $1,000, and two counts of theft over $1,500.

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Police said Hayes was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held on $42,000 secured bail for the burglary-related charges, along with $10,000 cash-only bail related to a probation violation. He was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution pending further proceedings.

Authorities said the investigation into the commercial burglary incidents remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Joran Merced at 302-576-3637 or by email at joran.merced@cj.state.de.us. Tips can also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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