Last Monday the New Castle County Division of Police alerted the community that thieves were roving through New Castle County communities in the late-night hours. That trend appears to be continuing.
On Sunday thieves struck several vehicles in The Woods Community in Newark, according to one of our readers who’s vehicles were targeted by a group of thieves.
Published police stats show that there were three break-ins in The Woods Community on Sunday, however, the reader thinks that number may be higher.
During this last round, the thieves took change, credit cards, cell phones, key fobs, and house keys, according to the reader.
As of Sunday police agencies in New Castle County have reported 127 vehicle break-ins in the first 11 days of August. In July those same agencies reported 278 vehicle break-ins for the entire month.
Last week officials said county police arrested six people in connection to some of the thefts on Wednesday. Five juveniles and one adult were charged.
The adult was identified as 23-year-old, Shaiquane Douglas from the City of Wilmington. He was arrested and charged with five counts of felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle, six counts of felony conspiracy 2nd, one count of felony Theft, and three counts of misdemeanor Theft.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $8000 unsecured bail.
The juveniles, whose ages ranged from 14 to 17, were all from the City of Wilmington. They were charged with felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle, felony Conspiracy 2nd degree, felony Theft over $1500, misdemeanor Theft under $1500, misdemeanor Unauthorized Use of a Payment Card, and misdemeanor Conspiracy 3rd degree.
The juveniles were also arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and all were released on unsecured bail.
The investigation is still ongoing and additional arrests were said to imminent.
Since Wednesday arrest, 24 vehicles have been broken into in New Castle County.
Original Alert
“The New Castle County Division of Police has seen an increase in thefts from motor vehicles and thefts of motor vehicles throughout all of New Castle County.
Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit have been conducting an ongoing investigation. So far this investigation has revealed that juveniles and young adults will go out in groups of three or more with the intent of stealing from cars and in some incidents stealing the car itself.
Groups as large as ten to twelve people have been seen roving through communities. These groups will typically use stolen cars during the overnight hours (midnight to 5:00 AM) to target the random neighborhoods. Usually, the driver will stay in the car and the other occupants will get out on foot and begin looking for unlocked vehicles.
The thefts are occurring on varying days of the week. Communities from Claymont to Middletown and everywhere in between have been victimized.
These subjects will enter any vehicle that is unlocked looking for items of value to include change, cash, credit cards, purses, and electronics. They are also looking for keys or a key fob to the vehicle that will allow them to steal the said vehicle.
Patrols have been increased yet we are still asking members of our community to remain vigilant. If you see any suspicious activity call 911.”
