Delaware State Police announced the arrests of two men, investigators allege were responsible for a series of copper wire thefts from Verizon utility poles in Newark. According to authorities, 43-year-old Nathan Barrell of Newark and 33-year-old Daniel Tiberi of Wilmington were taken into custody on November 20, 2025, following an investigation by Troop 2 Property Crimes detectives.
Detectives reported that the first incident occurred on September 6, 2025, at approximately 1:40 a.m., when a man was seen cutting copper wire from Verizon utility poles on Possum Park Road before leaving the area in an older-model pickup truck. Authorities said a second theft took place on November 4, 2025, around 5:00 a.m., when two men removed copper wire from poles in the 700 block of Cornell Drive and fled in a dark-colored SUV. Investigators stated that a third incident was reported on November 9, 2025, at about 2:15 a.m., in the 200 block of Chapman Road, where copper wire was removed and a Verizon network outage was caused.
State Police said the three incidents resulted in an estimated $30,000 in losses, including materials and damages. Detectives alleged that Barrell was identified as the suspect in all three thefts and that Tiberi was linked to the November 4 incident.
Authorities reported that after warrants were issued, Barrell was located in Newark and Tiberi in Wilmington, where both were taken into custody without incident. Barrell was transported to Troop 2, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $4,000 secured bond. According to police, he faces three counts of felony theft of $1,500 or greater, felony criminal mischief involving utility tampering, two counts of felony second-degree conspiracy, and two counts of criminal mischief.
Investigators said Tiberi was taken to Troop 2, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. He is charged with felony theft of $1,500 or greater, felony second-degree conspiracy, and criminal mischief.
