On the evening of May 13, 2024, Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Augustine Haymond from Smyrna, on multiple charges including felony shoplifting. The arrest occurred after troopers were called to the Lowe’s home improvement store at 20364 Plantations Road in Lewes, following reports of a theft.
Officials said at approximately 7:21 p.m., store employees alerted authorities to a man seen stealing merchandise and subsequently fleeing the premises on foot. Based on the descriptions provided, officers located Haymond at a nearby bus stop and took him into custody.
During a search, authorities found stolen items from Lowe’s, a small quantity of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia in Haymond’s possession police said Tuesday. Further investigation revealed that the stolen goods had been removed from their displays by cutting the security cables. Additionally, a computer check indicated that Haymond had an active warrant for similar incidents previously reported at the Lowe’s on Hessler Boulevard in New Castle.
Haymond was transported to Troop 7 for processing. There, he was charged with possession of shoplifters’ tools (2 counts), non-compliance with conditions of bond (3 counts), theft—organized retail crime, shoplifting under $1,500, criminal trespass 2nd degree, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts), and criminal mischief under $1,000 (2 counts). Following his arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 7, Haymond was released on an $11,500 unsecured bond.