The Delaware State Police have arrested 35-year-old Mario E. Padilla Caballero of Delmar, Delaware, following a home-invasion burglary and assault that occurred early yesterday morning in Delmar.
On February 9, 2026, at approximately 2:10 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 34000 block of Bi-State Boulevard in Delmar for a report of an assault involving a weapon. Before troopers arrived, they were told that a man, later identified as Mario E. Padilla Caballero, had forced entry into the house and was still there when the 40-year-old male victim arrived home. The victim confronted Padilla Caballero and during a fight, he cut the victim with a knife. When troopers arrived, Padilla Caballero, who is known by the victim, ran from the residence but was taken into custody without incident. The victim suffered minor injuries.
Padilla Caballero was arrested and taken to Troop 5, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $56,201 cash bond.
- Home-Invasion Burglary 1st Degree – Cause Physical Injury (Felony)
- Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Assault 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
- Terroristic Threatening
- Criminal Mischief
- Resisting Arrest