New Castle – State Troopers have arrested three people after they were caught breaking into multiple storage units, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said the investigation began Thursday August 31, 2017 around 1:40 a.m. when a 9-1-1 call was placed from the on-site facility manger of Public Storage, located at 425 Churchmans Road, to report drilling a banging coming from inside the area. Troopers and officers from New Castle City Police Department responded to the compound and noticed a fence had been cut, according to Fournier.
Entry into the facility was made through the hole by the responding agencies and upon approaching “C” building, observed three subjects running away, said Fournier. Officers and troopers gave chase and took all three subjects into custody without incident. Fournier said further investigation revealed the three had utilized cutting tools to break the locks off 16 storage units and placed items, such as televisions and stereo equipment, outside the units to remove later.
Damere P. Minter, 22 of Wilmington, Vaughn King, 24 of Wilmington, and a 16-year-old male from New Castle, were all transported back to Troop 2 where they were charged with 16 counts of Burglary 3rd, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass 2nd. Vaughn King was additionally charged with Aggravated Menacing as he began running at a trooper with a crowbar above his head before putting the item down and surrendering, said Fournier. The three were arraigned at JP2 and all released on unsecured bonds.
Similar Incidents
A similar incident occurred on August 18, 2017 in the City of Newark. Newark Police are reportedly investigating the burglary of over 200 storage units in that case. Read more about that story here.
It’s believed that state police are investigating an additional storage facility break in that occurred at the end of August. Reports indicate that multiple units were burglarized in that case as well.
Police have not tied Minter, King or the 16-year-old to the similar incidents.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police