Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

One Arrest Made; Detectives Seek Public’s Help to Locate Additional Suspect in Irrigation Copper Wire Thefts

Date Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested 40-year-old Dorothy Wooleyhand of Greenwood, Delaware, for multiple felony thefts and are searching for 39-year-old Michael Plummer for theft of copper wire from irrigation systems in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Between April 12, 2024, and August 16, 2024, detectives from Troop 3 and Troop 4 investigated multiple thefts of copper wire from irrigation systems in the Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Houston areas. In each of the incidents, unknown suspects trespassed onto private properties, cut and removed copper wire from pivot irrigation systems, and caused significant damage to the equipment. Through investigative means, detectives identified Dorothy Wooleyhand and Michael Plummer as the suspects and obtained warrants for their arrest.

On August 20, 2024, Wooleyhand was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on a $22,000 unsecured bond.

Dorothy Wooleyhand

Theft over $1,500 where the Victim is Over 62 (Felony) – 4 counts
Theft over $1,500 (Felony) – 4 counts
Criminal Mischief over $5,000 (Felony) – 8 counts
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
Theft under $1,500
Criminal Mischief under $1,000 – 2 counts
Criminal Trespass 3^rd Degree – 10 counts

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 and Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continue to investigate these incidents. Detectives are asking anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Michael Plummer to contact Troop 3 at (302) 697-4454 or Troop 4 at (302) 856-5850 or by calling 9-1-1. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.