DSP News Release:  Rehoboth Man Linked to 94 Residential Burglaries 

Communities Victimized: 

• Colonial East Development Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Aspen Meadows Development Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Wolf Neck Road Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Munchy Branch Road Rehoboth Beach, DE

DATE and TIME:

·         December 2009 thru February 2011

Victim(s):

·         94 Victims (94 Residences)

Defendant(s) Charge(s) and Bond Information:  

·         Dru W. Smith-34 Rehoboth Beach, DE

·         236 charges related to Burglary Second Degree, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Theft of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited.

·         Smith is currently being held in Sussex Correctional Institute on $333,500 secured bond

Resume:

Rehoboth Beach-Friday March 11^th Delaware State Police arrested Dru W. Smith-34 of Rehoboth Beach Delaware on 236 criminal charges related to Burglary, theft, Criminal Mischief and other burglary related offenses. 

The arrest of Dru Smith was the result of an investigation into residential burglaries dating back to December of 2009.  Smith is being charged with committing 94 residential burglaries over a year’s period of time.

Smith would forcibly enter residences through locked doors and windows.  Once inside Smith removed flat screen televisions, video game systems, various electronic items, jewelry, firearms, alcohol, money and prescription medication. 

• March 3, 2011: The Delaware State Police Sussex County Drug Unit and State Police Governors Task Force executed a search at a residence on Hurdle Ditch Road Harbeson Delaware. 

As a result of the March 3^rd search warrant State Police seized 11 flat screen televisions, a 12 gauge shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver.  A computer inquiry into the items seized at the Hurdle Ditch Road residence revealed that some of the items recovered were stolen from 3 reported residential burglaries. 

State Police detectives through subsequent interviews and surveillance were able to identify Dru W. Smith as a person of interest committing burglaries at the aforementioned communities.  Smith was also linked to the stolen property found at the Hurdle Ditch Road residence.   

On March 3, 2011 State Police detectives executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence off of Elk Camp Road Rehoboth and recovered numerous pieces of jewelry linking him to additional burglaries.  The jewelry recovered was linked to reported burglaries in the Colonial East and Aspen Meadows developments. 

*Smith on March 3^rd was initially charged with committing 6 burglaries then incarcerated; however detectives on March 11, 2011 linked him to 94 additional burglaries included in this press release.* 

Smith is currently being held in Sussex Correctional Institute on $333,500 secured bond.  

Delaware State Police since January of this year 2011 have arrested 8 groups of burglars (16 individuals) responsible for committing 340 burglaries throughout Sussex County. 

          Dru W. Smith