Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

State Police Arrest Man for Newark Area Warehouse Burglaries

Date Posted: Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

Veltre

Delaware State Police arrested Francis Veltre, 51, of Newark, Delaware, for the burglary of two Newark area warehouses in February.

Last month, troopers responded to two burglaries that occurred overnight between February 4 – 5, 2024. During the investigation, troopers learned that on February 4, 2024, at approximately 10:57 p.m., two unknown suspects arrived in a white pickup truck at AMS Fulfillment, located at 1800 Ogletown Road, Newark. The driver remained in the truck while the passenger entered the business and stole a shirt. The suspects returned to the business at approximately 2:09 a.m. on February 5, 2024, and the passenger again entered the business and stole several items including an HP laptop. Several hours later, at approximately 7:48 a.m., the white pickup truck arrived at Winebow, located at 310 Ruthar Drive, Newark, and stopped next to a cage containing propane tanks. The driver and passenger worked together to pry open the cage, from which they stole four large propane tanks. The suspects fled in the truck in an unknown direction.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Burglary Detectives identified one of the suspects as Francis Veltre. Detectives continue to investigate the identity of the second suspect, who was the driver of the truck. On March 5, 2024, detectives and members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on the 900 block of Harmony Road, Newark. Veltre was located at the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

Veltre was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following crimes:

Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Theft Under $1,500
Criminal Mischief

Veltre was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $6,500 secured bond.

The Troop 2 Burglary Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective M. Kerrigan by calling 302-365-8487. 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 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 DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.