Newark – On December 30, 2016, the Newark Police Special Operations Unit (SOU) was conducting a retail theft / shoplifting enforcement operation at the Acme located in Suburban Plaza.
While in the store, officers observed three people previously suspected of conducting organized thefts in stores throughout New Castle County, according to Newark Police Spokesman Lieutenant Bill Hargrove.
Hargrove said that the officers were able to observe the suspects shoplifting in the store and all were arrested without incident as they attempted to leave the store.
SOU was first alerted to the theft ring in December 2016 by the Asset Protection Specialist at ACME. SOU contacted neighboring police agencies and received information from Delaware State Police, who are also looking for the same suspects, DSP provided SOU with a possible suspect identification, said Hargrove.
The three suspects were charged for the December 30th incident and previous shoplifting incidents that all occurred at the same Acme.
Hargrove said that the Special Operations Unit will continue to conduct undercover shoplifting operations in stores throughout Newark.
\Shalayiah Rothwell (22)
Chester, PA
Shoplifting (4 counts)
Conspiracy (4 counts)
Committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional $400 secured bond
Donald Williamson (52)
Wilmington, DE
Shoplifting (3 counts)
Conspiracy (3 counts)
Committed to Howard R. Young Correctional $1,800 secured bond
Kevin Hardy (47)
Wilmington, DE
Theft – Organized Retail Crime
Criminal Solicitation
Shoplifting (5 Counts)
Conspiracy (5 Counts)
Committed to Howard R. Young Correctional $10,200 secured bond
Image Credits: Newark Police