Delaware State Police have arrested a 15-year-old male from Newark, Delaware, and a 15-year-old male from Wilmington, Delaware, for a burglary that occurred early Monday morning at a business in Wilmington.
On July 15, 2024, at approximately 3:58 a.m., troopers responded to Z Smoke Land, located at 5337 Limestone Road, Wilmington, for a report of a burglary. Upon arriving, troopers located one of the suspects behind the shopping center and gave him multiple verbal commands to stop. The suspect, later identified as a 15-year-old from Newark, did not comply and began running away; however, he was quickly apprehended following a K9 deployment. While apprehending the Newark teen, troopers saw a second suspect fleeing in a northerly direction. Troopers subsequently searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. In the ensuing investigation, detectives learned the two white male suspects drilled a hole into the smoke shop’s front door, then entered the business and removed various merchandise.
The 15-year-old suspect from Newark was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries sustained from the K9 apprehension. After the teen was discharged from the hospital, he was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple crimes. Through investigative means, Troop 2 Property Crimes Detectives identified the second suspect as a 15-year-old male from Wilmington and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
The 15-year-old male from Newark was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and released to a guardian on his own recognizance.
- Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony)
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief
- Resisting Arrest
On July 16, 2024, the 15-year-old suspect from Wilmington turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and released to a guardian on his own recognizance.
- Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony)
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Criminal Mischief
- Resisting Arrest