Lewes Man Charged With Stealing 80-Year-Old Woman’s Ride

Rehoboth Beach Police have arrested a Lewes man in connection with a felony theft.

Officials said Paul B. Croft 3rd, 54, of Lewes, was arrested Monday (08/17/20) afternoon on felony theft warrants stemming from an incident that occurred on July 31st, 2020 outside the Royal Farms located in the 400 block of Rehoboth Avenue.

During the early evening hours of July 30th, 2020 the 80-year-old female victim parked her beach cruiser style bicycle along a white privacy fence outside Royal Farms securing it in place with a bicycle lock. The following morning on the 31st, she awoke to find the lock broken and the bike missing. Through the use of surveillance footage and eye witness information, Rehoboth Police were able to identify Croft as the perpetrator. A warrant was issued for Croft’s arrest and he turned himself in on Monday afternoon.

Croft was arrested and charged with 1 count of felony theft under $1500 where the victim is 62 years of age or older and 1 count of misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Croft was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

The bicycle has not been recovered at this time.