Just after 8:20 in the morning of December 8, 2023, Newark Police responded to a report of a potential burglary at a vacant building located in the 1100 block of South College Avenue. The incident was reported by an individual who noticed that the lock on the rear door of the building had been cut, and bolt cutters were found on the ground nearby.
Upon searching the building’s interior, officers discovered a male subject, identified as 34-year-old Zachary Hufnell of Newark, concealed within a crawl space according to police.
Hufnell initially failed to comply with the officers’ commands and subsequently fled the scene by dropping through a hole in the floor to the first level of the building. Officers apprehended Hufnel after a brief foot chase.
Following his arrest, a search revealed that Hufnell was in possession of methamphetamine, along with various burglary tools police said. Additionally, officers found cut copper wire in his possession.
Hufnell was transported to the Newark Police headquarters. There, he faced multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance in a tier 3 quantity, third-degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, theft under $1500, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief.
After appearing before Justice of the Peace Court #11 via video, Hufnell was ordered to be held in default of a $34,100 cash bail. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington for custody.