NEWARK, DE — Delaware State Police said four men have been arrested or charged in connection with a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts linked to reshipping businesses in New Castle County earlier this year.
According to state police, troopers first responded around 1:00 a.m. on January 7 to the Four Points by Sheraton at 56 South Old Baltimore Pike in Newark for a report that a Ford Transit van belonging to the hotel had been stolen from the parking lot.
Police said investigators later determined the stolen van was allegedly used by four suspects during the following week to commit burglaries at reshipping companies on Quigley Boulevard and Bellcor Drive in New Castle. According to investigators, the suspects allegedly drove the van through garage doors at both businesses and stole approximately $169,000 in goods while causing about $14,000 in property damage.
Detectives said the Newport Police Department was also investigating a similar incident reported January 9 within its jurisdiction.
According to state police, the Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit took over the investigation and identified two additional vehicles believed to be connected to the crimes: a Honda sedan with Pennsylvania registration and a Chrysler minivan with Kentucky registration. Police reported that records showed the Chrysler minivan was a rental allegedly rented by 46-year-old Elwood Hunter of Smyrna.
Investigators also learned that the stolen Ford Transit van was recovered January 14 in Chester, Pennsylvania, by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division, police said.
While the investigation continued, troopers responded around 12:40 a.m. on January 18 to Carroll Drive in New Castle for another burglary at a reshipping company. According to police, four suspects allegedly used a white van to drive through the building’s door, stealing approximately $1,000 in merchandise and causing about $5,000 in damage before leaving the scene.
Police said an officer with the Newport Police Department later spotted a Ford Econoline van reported stolen from Pennsylvania and attempted a traffic stop. According to investigators, the vehicle allegedly fled, leading to a pursuit that ended in Wilmington, where the four suspects ran from the van.
Police said Damon Hancock, 24, of Wilmington, and Jerree Richardson, 34, of Middletown, were taken into custody without incident with assistance from the Newport and Wilmington police departments.
According to state police, Hancock and Richardson were each charged with multiple offenses including theft where the property value is $100,000 or more, burglary third degree, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, possession of burglar tools, theft of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief over $5,000, conspiracy second degree, and related theft offenses.
Police said Hancock was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $67,000 cash bail, while Richardson was committed to the same facility on $75,000 cash bail.
Through continued investigation, police said 25-year-old Malik Winters of Claymont and Hunter were identified as additional suspects and warrants were issued for their arrest.
According to investigators, Winters was taken into custody February 25 by the Wilmington Police Department on an unrelated matter and was later charged in connection with the case. Police said he was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $77,500 cash bail.
Police reported that Hunter was taken into custody February 27 during a traffic stop in Wilmington. According to state police, he faces charges including theft where the property value is $100,000 or more, burglary third degree, possession of burglar tools, criminal mischief over $5,000, conspiracy second degree, and related theft offenses. Police said Hunter was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $97,000 cash bail.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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