Delaware State Police arrested 29-year-old Michael Lacey of Valley Stream, New York, for making fraudulent credit card purchases.
On May 13, 2023, troopers responded to Coastal Wine and Spirits, located at 12141 Coastal Highway in Milton for a theft. Troopers learned that two men used a fake credit card to purchase over $3,800 of merchandise. On May 17, 2023, troopers responded to Hickman’s Discount Liquors, located at 30447 Cedar Neck Road in Ocean View, and learned that a man used a fake credit card to purchase over $6,600 of merchandise. Through investigative means, detectives identified Michael Lacey as one of the suspects involved in the thefts, and warrant was obtained for his arrest.
On May 13, 2024, Lacey was extradited to Delaware from New Jersey. He was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $11,000 secured bond.
- Possession of Instruments Facilitating Identity Theft (Felony) – 2 counts
- Theft – Organized Retail Crime over $1,500 (Felony) – 2 counts
- Unlawful Use of a Stolen Payment Card over $1,500 (Felony)
- Unlawful Use of a Stolen Payment Card over $1,500 and Victim is Over 62 (Felony) – 4 counts
- Theft by False Pretense over $1,500 (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)