On Tuesday, the Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Ryan Howell of Seaford, Delaware on numerous charges after troopers began investigating a series of thefts and burglaries that occurred two weeks ago.
Early in the morning on July 13, 2023, troopers responded to several residences on Chipmans Chase Drive and Fire Tower Road in Laurel regarding thefts from cars and garage burglaries that took place overnight. Troopers learned that two suspects trespassed onto six different properties and stole belongings from eight different victims, including a wallet, several debit and credit cards, a BB gun, video cameras, and a bicycle. Detectives from the Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and identified Ryan Howell as one of the suspects who committed the thefts and burglaries.
On July 25, 2023, Howell turned himself in to Troop 4 detectives at Seaford Police Department, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
- Attempted Theft Under $1,500 Where a Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
- Conspiracy Third Degree – 3 counts
- Theft Under $1,500 – 7 counts
- Criminal Mischief – 2 counts
- Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 3 counts
Howell was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was released on his own recognizance.
The Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit is still investigating these incidents and are working to identify the second suspect. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective R. Mitchell by calling 302-752-3794. 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.