Police: Package Thieves Strike Several Homes Near Downes Elementary In Newark, One Suspect Arrested, One At Large

 

Newark – On March 26, 2018, Newark Police responded to a residence in the unit block of Sue Lane for a report of a theft of a package. At about 1:50 pm on March 26th, a neighbor of the victim observed a green Lexus pull up to the victim’s residence. The neighbor observed a female exit the vehicle, approach the victim’s residence and remove a package from the front steps of the residence, according to Lt. Andrew Rubin.

Rubin said at the same time, an employee of the City of Newark Public Works and Water Resources Department observed the same conduct. The City employee then followed the vehicle, while he contacted police, and observed it stop at another residence in the 1200 block of Barksdale Road The female exited the vehicle and removed another package from the front of the residence and the vehicle left the area, said Rubin.. The City employee provided police with a license plate number.

During the investigation, Newark Police identified the driver of the vehicle as Edward Adkins, 26, of Newark. Newark Officers went to the last known address for Adkins in the 1600 block of Otts Chapel Road in Newark. Once at the residence, officers observed the Lexus in the driveway and stopped the vehicle as it was leaving the residence. Through investigation, officers identified Adkins as the driver during the thefts and Adrian Jefferson, 25, of Claymont as the female involved in the thefts, said Rubin.

During a search of the vehicle and the residence, officers located the property stolen from the two thefts described above, according to Rubin. In addition, officers located packages that had been stolen from a residence in the unit block of Julie Lane and the 900 block of Pickett Lane, added Rubin.

Adkins was taken into custody at the scene and charged with Theft Under $1500 (misdemeanor) (4 counts), Conspiracy 3rd Degree (misdemeanor). He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 and was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.

On March 27, 2018, an arrest warrant was issued by Justice of the Peace Court #2 for the arrest of Adrian Jefferson for Theft Under $1500 (misdemeanor) (4 counts), Conspiracy 3rd Degree (misdemeanor). Newark Police are actively looking for her at this time.

Anyone with information as to the location of Jefferson is asked to call Newark Police at (302) 366-7111.

Anyone with additional information as to these incidents is asked to contact Officer Carter McKennon at (302) 366-7100 x. 3491 or by e-mail at [email protected].