Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

State Police Arrest Four Suspects for Burglary in Newark

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 11th, 2024

News Release

The Delaware State Police arrested 19-year-old Zephone Mace from Bear, DE, a 17-year-old male from Wilmington, DE, a 16-year-old male from Bear, DE, and a 17-year-old female from New Castle, DE, for a burglary that occurred at a repossession tow company in Newark early Sunday morning.

On December 8, 2024, at approximately 1:26 a.m., troopers responded to Metro Investigations, located at 12 Peoples Drive, Newark, for a report of three unknown suspects walking around the fenced property and looking into vehicles. Upon arriving, troopers searched the property, and discovered the suspects had fled prior to police arriving. In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned 3 masked male suspects entered the property by cutting a hole in the fence. Once inside the property, the suspects kicked in an office door, and removed several keys for vehicles secured at the property. A short time later, a trooper observed a 2024 white Ford Bronco with no registration displayed traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of State Route 72 and the I-95 overpass. The trooper conducted a traffic stop on the Ford, and made contact with the operator, identified as a 17-year-old female, and a female passenger. The 17-year-old female was unable to provide any proof of ownership for the SUV, which was subsequently towed to Troop 2. For their safety, the two females were taken to Troop 2 to wait for a ride.

At approximately 4:02 a.m., 19-year-old Zephone Mace arrived at Troop 2 to pick up the 17-year-old female. Troopers observed Mace’s clothing was similar to the clothing worn by one of the suspects from the video surveillance of the burglary, and took Mace into custody without incident. Troopers then made contact with the occupants of the car Mace arrived in. Upon making contact with the occupants, troopers observed the teens, identified as a 16-year-old male and a 17-year old male, were wearing similar clothing to that of the remaining 2 suspects, and took both into custody. During the investigation, troopers learned the Ford Bronco was a rental issued to the 17-year-old male’s parent, and was the same vehicle that picked up Mace and the 17-year-old female from a residence on Saturday evening.

At Troop 2, the 4 suspects were each charged with multiple crimes.

Mace 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 $20,000 cash bond.

Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Criminal Mischief

The 17-year-old male suspect was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash bond.

Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Criminal Mischief

The 16-year-old male suspect was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash bond.

Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Criminal Mischief

The 17-year-old female suspect was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $5,000 cash bond.

Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Several Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective M. Kerrigan by calling (302) 365-8487. 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.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.