Delaware State Police have arrested a 67-year-old Dover man following a months-long investigation into an alleged organized retail theft operation involving approximately $50,000 worth of merchandise stolen from stores in the Dover area.
Police said Michah Cuffee Sr. was investigated after troopers received information that he was allegedly recruiting people struggling with drug addiction to steal merchandise from retail stores in exchange for narcotics or cash.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Cuffee was allegedly storing stolen merchandise at a motel in the 1700 block of North Dupont Highway in Dover.
On August 4, 2026, troopers, assisted by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit, responded to the motel and recovered a large quantity of merchandise that police said had been stolen from multiple retailers.
The recovered merchandise included items from Victoria’s Secret, TJ Maxx, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Old Navy, Ross, Walmart, Bath & Body Works, Sam’s Club, Ulta Beauty, Five Below and Redner’s Markets, among others. Detectives estimated the total value of the recovered merchandise at approximately $50,000.
Investigators also determined that Cuffee allegedly intended to ship the stolen merchandise to another country. Police said Cuffee also provided investigators with a false statement in an attempt to avoid prosecution.
Troopers obtained a warrant for Cuffee’s arrest on August 13. Cuffee subsequently turned himself in at Delaware State Police Troop 9.
Cuffee was charged with felony organized retail crime theft over $1,500, felony receiving stolen property valued over $1,500, providing a false statement to law enforcement with intent to delay or hinder an investigation, and second-degree conspiracy.
He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court and released on an $8,000 unsecured bond.
