MIDDLETOWN, DE — New Castle County Police said a Middletown man was taken into custody following an investigation into two burglary incidents reported days apart in the same neighborhood.
Police reported that officers were first dispatched around 6:25 p.m. on February 25 to the unit block of Fairview Avenue in the Fairview Farms neighborhood for a reported burglary.
According to investigators, officers observed suspicious footprints around the residence that allegedly led to evidence of forced entry into the home. Police said the victim reported that several valuable items were missing from inside the residence.
Police said officers were again dispatched to the unit block of Fairview Avenue around 11:10 a.m. on February 28 for a reported attempted burglary at another home. According to police, the suspect allegedly fled the area before entering the residence.
Authorities reported that detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation after identifying similarities between the incidents.
According to investigators, detectives later identified Eric Skipski, 35, of Middletown, as a suspect in both incidents. Police said detectives also recovered some of the stolen property from a local pawn shop.
Police reported that officers located Skipski on March 5 at a residence on Fairview Avenue and took him into custody without incident.
Authorities said Skipski has been charged with burglary in the second degree, attempted burglary in the second degree, selling stolen property, two counts of criminal mischief over $1,000, and theft under $1,500.
Police reported that Skipski was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $23,200 secured bail.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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