Delaware State Police arrested 52-year-old Thomas Hetzler, of Wilmington, Delaware, for retail theft charges stemming from multiple shopliftings that occurred at the Wegmans, located at 371 Buckley Mill Road in Wilmington.
On July 4, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a trooper on duty was notified by a Wegmans employee that a habitual shoplifter was trespassing on the property and had a shopping cart full of grocery items. The employee recognized the man, identified as Thomas Hetzler, and his actions from previous Wegmans shopliftings. The trooper made contact with Hetzler as he exited the store with a cart full of stolen goods that totaled over $300, and took him into custody without incident. A computer inquiry revealed Hetzler had an active No Contact Order with Wegmans issued by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas, and warrants for his arrest for shopliftings of a similar nature that occurred on March 19, 2024, and June 26, 2024, at Wegmans. In each shoplifting, Hetzler filled up a shopping cart with various grocery items and left the business without paying.
Hetzler was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,250 unsecured bond.
- Theft – Organized Retail Crime (Felony)
- Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 2 counts
- Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree