The Newark Police Department has arrested a Wilmington woman following a lengthy investigation into a series of shoplifting incidents that began in 2024 and spanned multiple retail establishments.
According to authorities, officers launched the investigation after identifying a pattern of thefts believed to involve the same suspect. Investigators determined that a female suspect was responsible for numerous incidents that resulted in thousands of dollars in merchandise losses. Police said the activity was part of an ongoing organized retail theft operation.
Through coordinated efforts between Newark officers and partnering jurisdictions, the suspect was positively identified and warrants were obtained. The warrants included felony charges for noncompliance with conditions of bond, along with 23 counts of breach of release tied to prior shoplifting-related arrests and violations of court-ordered conditions. Police said the suspect was also wanted on multiple capiases for failing to appear in court in connection with earlier shoplifting cases dating back to 2024.
On February 11, 2026, members of the department’s Street Crimes Unit located and arrested 40-year-old Markesha Dollard of Wilmington without incident.
Newark Police charged Dollard with five counts of shoplifting under $1,500, five counts of possession of shoplifter’s tools, two felony counts of noncompliance with conditions of bond, 23 counts of breach of release, two counts of third-degree criminal trespass, and one count of theft involving organized retail crime.
Additional charges filed by another agency include one count of shoplifting under $1,500 and one count of third-degree conspiracy. Police said Dollard also had eight capiases for failure to appear issued by Justice of the Peace Court #20 and the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.
Dollard was arraigned before a judge in Justice of the Peace Court #2 and ordered held on $39,600 secured bail along with an additional $10,000 cash bail. She was committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution pending further proceedings.
