Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Arrest Man for Several Retail Theft Charges throughout New Castle County

Date Posted: Friday, August 9th, 2024

Sanchez

Delaware State Police arrested 46-year-old Spenson Sanchez of Wilmington, Delaware, for several retail thefts that occurred over the last several months at multiple businesses throughout New Castle County.

Between May 15, 2024, and August 5, 2024, troopers investigated several shoplifting reports of a similar nature from multiple businesses throughout New Castle County. In each shoplifting, a black male suspect shoplifted various merchandise from the store before fleeing in an unknown direction. Through investigative means, troopers identified Spenson Sanchez as the suspect responsible for 24 shopliftings that totaled over $36,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Troopers investigated shopliftings involving Sanchez as the suspect from the following stores in New Castle County: ACME, Best Buy, Burlington, Buy Buy Baby, Cabela’s, Carter’s, Lowe’s Home Improvement, multiple Marshalls stores, New Balance, Nordstrom Rack, multiple Old Navy stores, Staples, and T. J. Maxx. Sanchez shoplifted with different accomplices for a handful of the incidents. At this time, all of Sanchez’s accomplices have not been identified, and images of the suspects are not available. After each incident, troopers obtained a warrant for Sanchez’s arrest and attempted to locate him.

On August 8, 2024, a trooper responded to Ross Dress for Less, located at 1317 Churchmans Road, Newark, for a report of a shoplifting. Upon arriving, the trooper learned a black male suspect selected multiple pairs of shoes and fled from the store with the unpaid merchandise. The trooper reviewed a photograph of the suspect provided by a Ross employee, and identified him as Sanchez. The trooper was familiar with Sanchez from previous investigations, and was aware he was wanted for several theft-related warrants. A short time later, troopers responded to Marshalls, located at 3000 Fashion Center Boulevard, Newark, for a report of a habitual shoplifter that was in the area after shoplifting from Marshalls. The shoplifter, identified as Sanchez, was reported to be with an unknown black female accomplice in a red Nissan Altima with Delaware registration.

Upon arriving, troopers located the Altima in the shopping center and made contact with the 36-year-old female driver and the 37-year-old male passenger, both of whom were uncooperative with troopers. During the traffic stop, troopers identified the 36-year-old female as the accomplice seen with Sanchez. Troopers further discovered Sanchez had fled from the Altima shortly before troopers arrived. Troopers found Sanchez a short time later in the area of A Road and the Emblem Apartments, and took him into custody without incident.

The 36-year-old female and the 37-year-old male, both from Wilmington, Delaware, were also taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the Altima led to the discovery of some of the merchandise shoplifted from Marshalls. All 3 suspects were taken to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Sanchez 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 $17,211.76 secured bond.

Organized Retail Theft Over $1,500 (Felony) – 2 counts
Organized Retail Theft (Felony) – 2 counts
Shoplifting Over $1,500 (Felony) – 4 counts
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of Shoplifter Tools (Felony)
Organized Retail Theft – 5 counts
Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 13 counts
Conspiracy 3^rd Degree – 5 counts
Criminal Mischief

The 36-year-old female from Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $2,000 unsecured bond.

Conspiracy 3^rd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property Under $1,500

The 37-year-old female from Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $2,000 unsecured bond.