Kent County, DE- Delaware State Police arrested Donald A. Smith, 39, of Newark, DE, on multiple theft charges after a month-long investigation.
On May 10, 2021, Delaware State Police investigated a theft of a 2014 John Deere mini excavator from a storage yard located on Lancaster Pike, Hockessin. Through investigative measures, the excavator was located at a residence on Peterkins Road, Georgetown. Troopers responded to the location, and the excavator was recovered and returned to the owner.
On May 12, 2021, troopers responded to Hitch RV located at 2152 Bay Road, Milford, for a report of a theft of a 2016 Nitro LXR Forrest River travel trailer. The investigation revealed the trailer was stolen between the overnight hours of Tuesday, May 11, 2021, and Wednesday, May 12, 2021. On May 15, 2021, troopers were notified by law enforcement in South Chester County the stolen trailer was located at a residence. The trailer was recovered and returned to Hitch RV.
On May 29, 2021, troopers responded to Delmarva RV located at 802 Milford Harrington Highway, Milford, for a report of a theft of a 2021 Forrest River Rogue trailer. The suspect was captured on camera using a U-Haul box truck to steal the trailer during the incident. With the public’s help, troopers received information on where the stolen trailer was located, and the trailer was recovered and returned to Delmarva RV.
On June 14, 2021, Delaware State Police located Donald A. Smith, and he was taken into custody without incident. During the investigation, troopers discovered Smith was in possession of a stolen U-Haul vehicle dolly from Rt. 24 Self Storage located at 28433 John J. Williams, Millsboro. The vehicle dolly was stolen between May 24, 2021, and June 13, 2021. The U-Haul was located in the parking lot of the Dunkin Donuts located at 2480 DuPont Parkway, Middletown, and returned to Rt. 24 Self Storage.
Smith was charged with the following crimes:
- Four Counts- Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
- Misapplication Of Property Over $1500 (Felony)
- Two Counts- Criminal Trespass Third Degree
- Two Counts- Theft Under $1,500
- Criminal Mischief
Smith was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6.003.00 secured bond.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.
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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper
Released: 061521 1302
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