In a recent incident, the Delaware State Police apprehended a 49-year-old man, William Smallwood, from Laurel, Delaware, on charges of theft and other related offenses.
Police said Smallwood was accused of stealing copper wiring and disabling a vital railroad line in Laurel, leading to significant damage and disruptions to railway operations.
The investigation began on July 24, 2023, when the Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit initiated an inquiry into a copper wire theft that occurred earlier that month at the Carload Express railroad tracks in Laurel. The perpetrator had cut and stolen copper wiring from a crucial railroad safety system, causing over $10,000 worth of damage and forcing the railway to shut down for four days police said.
Detectives said Smallwood was known to have sold the stolen copper wiring at a recycling center in Seaford. Smallwood also matched the description of the suspect who was seen leaving the railroad tracks after the theft according to police.
The Delaware State Police arrested Smallwood on July 25, 2023, around 1:50 p.m. at his residence. The arrest was made without incident, and Smallwood was taken to Troop 4 for further processing.
The charges filed against Smallwood include Criminal Mischief Over $5,000 (Felony), Theft Under $1,500 (two counts), Falsifying Business Records (two counts), Selling Stolen Property (two counts), Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass Third Degree (two counts).
Smallwood appeared before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 for arraignment and was released on an $8,400 unsecured bond pending trial.