Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have apprehended five juveniles suspected of being involved in an ongoing theft spree in Wilmington.
Officials said the arrests come after a series of theft and vehicle theft reports across several communities.
On August 16, 2023, at 2:30 a.m., officers responded to a call reporting a theft in progress in the 2000 block of Oak Lane Road, Wilmington. While investigating the reported theft, officers conducting property checks in nearby neighborhoods noticed five male individuals walking away from the area. The officers detained them and discovered stolen property from multiple vehicles, along with sets of keys and key fobs police said.
The suspects, all juveniles, were identified as:
- 13-year-old male from New Castle
- 14-year-old male from New Castle
- 14-year-old male from Dover
- 16-year-old male from Wilmington
- 17-year-old male from Wilmington
Subsequently, the suspects were taken to the NCCPD headquarters, where they faced charges related to three separate theft cases. The charges include burglary in the third degree (felony), conspiracy in the second degree (felony), possession of burglar tools (felony), and theft under $1,500.00 (misdemeanor). After being arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court 11, they are currently held on $20,000.00 cash bail.
The investigation remains ongoing, as detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police continue to look into other open cases from surrounding communities. If you have information regarding these incidents or have access to relevant surveillance footage, authorities encourage you to reach out to the New Castle County Division of Police.