WILMINGTON, DE — Delaware State Police have arrested a 38-year-old Wilmington man following an investigation into an alleged organized retail theft that took place earlier this month at Dick’s House of Sport in Wilmington.
According to investigators, troopers responded to the sporting goods store, located at 1000 Brandywine Parkway, around 6:00 p.m. on October 13 after receiving reports of a theft in progress. Store employees told police that three suspects had allegedly stolen about $2,500 worth of merchandise before fleeing the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu displaying a temporary Delaware registration tag.
Responding troopers soon located a vehicle matching the description traveling southbound on Concord Pike near I-95. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver reportedly fled into the City of Wilmington, committing multiple traffic violations in the process.
Moments later, police found the vehicle abandoned near East 28th and Jessup Streets. Troopers observed the suspects running from the scene while carrying stolen goods. Two suspects, identified as Kerryn Vinson and Taysha Bultran, were taken into custody, while a third man initially escaped.
Through further investigation, detectives identified the third suspect as 38-year-old Vernon Hines of Wilmington. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and on October 28, Hines was taken into custody without incident.
Hines was charged with theft organized retail crime and second-degree conspiracy, both felonies. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $4,000 secured bond.
All charges are allegations, and Hines is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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