Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Laurel Man for Felony Theft and Criminal Mischief

Date Posted: Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

The Delaware State Police have arrested 50-year-old Chad Wray of Laurel, Delaware, for felony theft and criminal mischief for theft of air conditioning parts from two Laurel area churches.

On January 6, 2026, troopers responded to Saint Matthews First Baptist Church, located at 32129 Wolfe Street in Laurel, for a report of a theft. When troopers arrived, they learned that an unknown suspect entered the property and removed parts from the church’s two air conditioning units. On January 22, 2026, troopers responded to ELIM Delaware Church, located at 33056 Bi State Boulevard in Laurel, for a similar theft. Troopers learned that an unknown suspect entered the property and removed parts from the church’s three air conditioning units. During the investigation, detectives were notified that Laurel Police Department were investigating a similar theft at a residence on the 100 block of East 5^th Street in the town limits of Laurel. Through investigative means, State Police and Laurel Police identified Chad Wray as the suspect in the thefts and obtained warrants for his arrest.

On January 23, 2026, Wray was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $23,600 unsecured bond.