TOWNSEND, DE — Delaware State Police have announced the arrests of two men in connection with alleged copper wire thefts that disrupted local telecommunications, including emergency 911 lines, in Townsend last month. The suspects, identified as 36-year-old Brian Searfass of Middletown, Delaware, and 26-year-old Arthur Chillas of Townsend, Delaware, face multiple charges following a series of coordinated investigations.
The initial incident occurred on May 10, 2025, in the area of Summit Bridge Road and Green Giant Road. According to investigators, fiber optic wires were reportedly cut from utility poles at the intersection, and the copper within the wires was allegedly stolen. This act additionally severed a 911 emergency line, disrupting critical services for thousands of nearby residents. Authorities report that the alleged theft caused substantial inconvenience to the local community.
Subsequent investigations indicated the stolen copper wires were sold at a Newark recycling center on the same day. Delaware detectives, collaborating with law enforcement agencies in Maryland, connected the suspects to similar incidents outside the state. Warrants for Searfass and Chillas were issued following the investigation, but attempts to locate them were initially unsuccessful.
A second alleged theft occurred on May 30, 2025, in the same area as the earlier incident. Police allege that Chillas, along with an unidentified accomplice, cut fiber optic wires from utility poles once again, resulting in yet another disruption to telecommunications services, including 911 access.
On June 2, 2025, Brian Searfass voluntarily surrendered to authorities at Troop 2. On June 3, 2025, with assistance from Delaware Probation and Parole, Arthur Chillas was reportedly taken into custody without incident. Both were processed and later arraigned.
Searfass faces the following charges:
- Theft over $1,500 (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief – Tampering with Utilities Causing Substantial Interruption (Felony)
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree
- Selling Stolen Property valued under $1,500
He was released on a $1,200 unsecured bond following arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 2.
Chillas is charged with:
- Two counts of Theft over $1,500 (Felonies)
- Criminal Mischief – Tampering with Utilities Causing Substantial Interruption (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief causing over $5,000 in damages (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree
- Two counts of Selling Stolen Property valued under $1,500
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $13,000 unsecured bond.
The charges brought against Searfass and Chillas remain allegations, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Delaware authorities have highlighted the collaborative efforts between local and out-of-state law enforcement agencies in bringing the investigation to this point.
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