The Delaware State Police have arrested 57-year-old James Deshields of Seaford in connection with a series of burglaries targeting homes under construction in Sussex County.
Authorities said troopers began responding in September 2025 to multiple reports of break-ins at newly built homes. Investigators determined that the suspect entered the homes and removed or attempted to remove refrigerators. Police reported that several of the incidents also caused additional damage after water lines connected to the appliances were cut.
The Sussex County Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigations and determined that a suspect and a Honda CR-V had been observed at several of the crime scenes. Through further investigation, detectives identified Deshields as a suspect. Similar incidents were also being investigated by the Georgetown Police Department and the Seaford Police Department, officials said.
On September 23, 2025, Deshields was arrested in connection with an unrelated matter. While he was in custody, detectives obtained a DNA search warrant to compare his DNA with evidence collected from one of the burglary scenes. Police said Deshields resisted when detectives attempted to obtain the DNA sample, but the sample was ultimately secured and submitted to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for testing.
Earlier this month, forensic results were returned, and detectives used the findings to link Deshields to the burglaries, police said. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained.
On February 17, 2026, Deshields was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 4. He was charged with three counts of Burglary Second Degree, three counts of Theft $1,500 or Greater, one count of Attempted Theft $1,500 or Greater, Conspiracy Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, three counts of Criminal Mischief Under $1,000, and Criminal Trespass Second Degree. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $27,500 unsecured bond.
