The Delaware State Police have arrested a Wilmington man following a months-long investigation into an organized retail theft operation.
Police identified the suspect as 65-year-old Eric Tillman of Wilmington. According to investigators, the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit began investigating the case in March 2026. The investigation was opened after Troopers received information that Tillman was recruiting individuals struggling with drug addiction to steal merchandise from retail stores in exchange for a small fraction of the items’ retail value.
During the investigation, detectives determined the theft operation targeted numerous retailers across New Castle County, including Giant, Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Kenny Family ShopRite stores. Authorities allege that the stolen merchandise was transported to a storage unit in New Jersey before being resold at multiple flea markets throughout the state.
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the New Jersey State Police Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office and loss prevention personnel representing the affected retailers.
On June 8, detectives located Tillman in Wilmington and took him into custody without incident. Search warrants were subsequently executed at his Wilmington residence, a storage unit in New Jersey, and two vehicles.
According to police, investigators recovered approximately 4,317 items of suspected stolen merchandise during the searches. The recovered property has an estimated retail value of $70,292.36.
Tillman was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2, where he was charged with Theft – Organized Retail Crime, Receiving Stolen Property, and Conspiracy Second Degree, all felony offenses. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court and released after posting an $8,000 unsecured bond.
