Delaware State Police arrested 52-year-old Thomas Hetzler, of Wilmington, Delaware, for organized retail theft charges stemming from multiple shopliftings that occurred at the Wegmans in Wilmington.
On July 23, 2024, at approximately 11:23 p.m., troopers responded to the Wegmans, located at 371 Buckley Mill Road in Wilmington, for a report of a habitual shoplifter that trespassed on the property and shoplifted. Wegmans employees and troopers were familiar with the suspect, identified as Thomas Hetzler, from previous shoplifting investigations. Upon arriving, troopers learned Hetzler placed several food items in a basket and walked out of the grocery store without paying. After a brief search of the area, troopers found Hetzler with the stolen items 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. Additionally, Hetzler had warrants for his arrest for two prior shopliftings of a similar nature from Wegmans. One of the prior shopliftings occurred on July 12, 2024, and the other prior shoplifting occurred on May 16, 2024, however, was reported to troopers by Wegmans Loss Prevention in July 2024. Hetzler was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $5,100 cash bond.
- Organized Retail Theft (Felony) – 3 counts
- Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree – 2 counts
- Breach of Release – 2 counts