WILMINGTON, DE — Delaware State Police have charged a New Jersey man with multiple burglary and theft-related offenses following a series of alleged after-hours break-ins at commercial properties in New Castle County.
Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Michael Denney of Pennsville, New Jersey, who has been linked to three separate burglary incidents since late May 2025.
The first reported burglary occurred on May 29, 2025, at a property owned by Auto Team Delaware on Lancaster Pike in Wilmington. Investigators allege that a suspect in a dark-colored Ford pickup truck entered the property, gained access to a building under construction, cut the lock on a shipping container, and removed tools.
The second incident was reported on June 12, 2025, at a Farrar Car Wash property on Main Street in Wilmington. The suspect allegedly stole fuel from construction equipment and wiring from a building under construction.
The third incident took place on June 16, 2025, at a Wawa property on Capitol Trail in Newark. Police allege that the suspect forced entry by cutting the lock on a trailer and stole tools.
According to investigators, the series of burglaries resulted in over $13,000 worth of stolen items. Officials further allege that Denney used stolen or fictitious license plates on his vehicle during these incidents.
Through investigative efforts, detectives obtained warrants for Denney’s arrest. He was taken into custody without incident on June 22, 2025, during a traffic stop in North Wilmington.
Denney faces the following charges:
- Three counts of burglary in the third degree (felonies)
- Four counts of theft over $1,500 (felonies)
- Two counts of theft under $1,500
- Two counts of criminal mischief under $1,000
- Fictitious or canceled registration tag
- Improper display of license plates
He was processed at Troop 2, arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $6,100 secured bond.
Authorities emphasize that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on the case may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
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