Delaware State Police arrested 36-year-old Brian Searfass of Middletown, Delaware, and 26-year-old Arthur Chillas of Townsend, Delaware, for theft of copper wires and related offenses that occurred last month in Townsend.
On May 10, 2025, troopers investigated a theft of wires in the area of Summit Bridge Road and Green Giant Road in Townsend. The preliminary investigation revealed that unknown suspects cut fiber optic wires from utility poles in the intersection. In addition to the theft of the fiber optic wires, the suspects cut a 911 emergency line, which caused a substantial interruption to thousands of surrounding residents. In collaboration with out-of-state law enforcement agencies, Troop 2 Property Crimes Detectives learned of similar incidents in Maryland, and ultimately identified the suspects responsible for the wire thefts as Brian Searfass and Arthur Chillas. Through investigative means, detectives discovered the suspects sold the copper within the fiber optic wires at a recycling center in Newark on May 10, 2025. Detectives obtained warrants for their arrest, and made multiple attempts to locate them.
During the ongoing efforts to locate Searfass and Chillas, detectives investigated a theft of a similar nature on May 30, 2025. The preliminary investigation revealed that Chillas and an unknown coconspirator cut fiber optic wires from the utility poles in the area of Summit Bridge Road and Green Giant Road, and again, cut a 911 emergency line, which caused substantial interruption to surrounding residents.
On June 2, 2025, Searfass turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple crimes. On June 3, 2025, with the assistance of Delaware Probation and Parole, Chillas was taken into custody without incident, and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple crimes.
Searfass was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $1,200 unsecured bond.
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief – Tampers with Utilities Causing Substantial Interruption (Felony)
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree
- Selling Stolen Property Under $1,500
Chillas was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and issued a $13,000 unsecured bond.
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
- Criminal Mischief – Tampers with Utilities Causing Substantial Interruption (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief $5,000 or More (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree
- Selling Stolen Property Under $1,500 – 2 counts
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