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Tag: shoplifting

  • *Update – Suspects Arrested* Detectives Investigating Shoplifting Turned Robbery at the Brandywine Town Center Target

    The Delaware State Police arrested a 14-year-old female from Claymont, Delaware, and a 16-year-old female from Wilmington, Delaware, for robbery and assault charges following a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred at the Brandywine Town Center Target in Wilmington Monday night.

    On July 7, 2025, at approximately 6:36 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Target, located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 female suspects were confronted by a Target employee as they were exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, one of the suspects sprayed the employee with a chemical spray, which also struck 2 customers entering the business. The suspects then ran out to the parking lot with the stolen merchandise, and fled in a grey Honda Odyssey toward Naamans Road.

    Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified the suspects involved in the robbery as a 14-year-old female and a 16-year-old female. On July 8, 2025, detectives located the suspect vehicle in Wilmington, and conducted a traffic stop. Both suspects were taken into custody during the traffic stop, and taken to Troop 1, where they were each charged with multiple crimes.

    The 14-year-old female was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on an $82,000 cash bond.

    • Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
    • Assault 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

    The 16-year-old female was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on an $82,000 cash bond.

    • Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
    • Assault 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

    The post *Update – Suspects Arrested* Detectives Investigating Shoplifting Turned Robbery at the Brandywine Town Center Target appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

  • Detectives Investigating Shoplifting Turned Robbery at the Brandywine Town Center Target

    Delaware State Police are investigating a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred at the Brandywine Town Center Target in Wilmington last night.

    On July 7, 2025, at approximately 6:36 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Target, located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 female suspects were confronted by a Target employee as they were exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, one of the suspects sprayed the employee with a chemical spray, which also struck 2 customers entering the business. The suspects then ran out to the parking lot with the stolen merchandise, and fled in a grey Honda Odyssey toward Naamans Road. The 3 victims were evaluated by EMS at the scene.

    The suspects are described as 2 unknown black females wearing dark-colored clothing. Surveillance video and images are not yet available.

    Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

    If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].

    The post Detectives Investigating Shoplifting Turned Robbery at the Brandywine Town Center Target appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

  • State Police Arrest Man for Several Retail Thefts throughout New Castle County

    Delaware State Police arrested 65-year-old Charles LeCates of Wilmington, Delaware, for multiple retail thefts that occurred over the last several months at various businesses throughout New Castle County.

    Between August 2024, and April 2025 troopers investigated several shoplifting reports of a similar nature from businesses throughout New Castle County. In each shoplifting, a white male suspect shoplifted various merchandise from the store before fleeing in an unknown direction. Troopers investigated shopliftings involving the white male suspect from the following stores in New Castle County: ACME, Carter’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Famous Footwear, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Old Navy, Pike Creek Community Hardware, and Target. Through investigative means, troopers identified Charles LeCates as the suspect responsible for 20 shopliftings that spanned 9 months and totaled over $9,500 worth of stolen merchandise. In a handful of the incidents, LeCates shoplifted with different unidentified accomplices. Images of the unknown suspects are not available at this time. Throughout the investigations, troopers attempted to locate LeCates for several theft-related warrants for his arrest.

    On May 12, 2025, troopers located LeCates in Wilmington, and took him into custody without incident. A subsequent search of his person led to the discovery of approximately 0.1 grams of crack cocaine. LeCates was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $29,000 secured bond.

    • Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony)
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
    • Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 19 counts
    • Conspiracy 3rd Degree – 6 counts
    • Possess Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription

    Troopers continue to investigate these incidents, and are asking anyone who has relevant information to contact Troop 6 by calling (302) 633-5000 or emailing [email protected]. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

    The post State Police Arrest Man for Several Retail Thefts throughout New Castle County appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

  • Three Suspects in Custody for Shoplifting Turned Armed Robbery in the Prices Corner Shopping Center

    The Delaware State Police have identified 28-year-old Austin McMasters, 31-year-old Brittany Stacy, and 26-year-old Tehya Dyer, all from North Carolina, as the suspects involved in an armed robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred in the Prices Corner Shopping Center in Wilmington on Thursday morning. All 3 suspects were taken into custody in Virginia Thursday night.

    On May 8, 2025, at approximately 10:18 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a shoplifting turned robbery at Gabe’s, located at 3202 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed 2 suspects, later identified as Austin McMasters and Brittany Stacy, entered Gabe’s, and filled 2 shopping carts with merchandise. The suspects then exited the store with the shopping carts full of unpaid merchandise, and began loading the stolen items into a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. A Prices Corner Security employee was notified of the shoplifting, and confronted the suspects in the parking lot. During the confrontation, McMasters punched the employee in the face, before he retrieved a handgun from the Jeep, and pointed it at the employee. McMasters then entered the employee’s marked security vehicle, and fled from the parking lot. Simultaneously, Stacy fled in the Jeep, which was operated by a third suspect, identified as Tehya Dyer.

    Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives developed McMasters, Stacy, and Dyer as the suspects involved in the robbery. Detectives subsequently obtained warrants for their arrests. Later that evening, McMasters, Stacy, and Dyer were taken into custody in Virginia, where they are now incarcerated and awaiting extradition to Delaware for multiple crimes.

    Upon extradition to Delaware, McMasters will be charged with the crimes listed below.

    Austin McMasters
    Austin McMasters
    • Robbery 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
    • Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
    • Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

    Upon extradition to Delaware, Stacy will be charged with the crimes listed below.

    Brittany Stacy
    Brittany Stacy
    • Robbery 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

    Upon extradition to Delaware, Dyer will be charged with the crimes listed below.

    Tehya Dyer
    Tehya Dyer
    • Robbery 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
    • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

    The post Three Suspects in Custody for Shoplifting Turned Armed Robbery in the Prices Corner Shopping Center appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

  • Police search for suspect who stole over $2,000 worth of cologne & perfume from Walgreens in Harrington

    Police search for suspect who stole over $2,000 worth of cologne & perfume from Walgreens in Harrington

    Police are searching for the suspect who allegedly stole over $2,000 worth of cologne and perfume from the Walgreens in Harrington.

    According to the Harrington Police Department, the incident occurred Friday, December 3 at the Walgreens on South DuPont Highway.

    Police say the unknown suspect entered the store and pried open a glass display case, removing over $2,000 worth of cologne and perfume.

    The suspect then reportedly fled the scene.

    Police are searching for the identity of the suspect and have released several surviellance photos.

    Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Harrington Police Department attention Ptlm. Porter at (302) 398-4493 Ext. 44 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.