Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Two on Felony Retail Theft and Drug Charges in Newark

Date Posted: Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Image of Suspected Heroin

The Delaware State Police arrested 47-year-old Ron Wardlaw and 43-year-old Lashonda Rooks, both of Baltimore, Maryland, on felony theft and drug charges following a shoplifting investigation Wednesday afternoon in Newark.

On February 18. 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., troopers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at 100 Center Drive, for a report of a shoplifting in progress. The preliminary investigation revealed Wardlaw and Rooks walked around the store and selected over $3,300 worth of merchandise. At one point, Rooks entered a fitting room with products, while Wardlaw exited the store, leaving a shopping cart filled with merchandise near the front door.

Troopers learned Wardlaw spoke with an unknown third accomplice who entered the store in search of the cart, however store employees had already recovered the merchandise.

When Troopers arrived, Wardlaw attempted to drive away but troopers stopped his vehicle a short distance from the store. Responding troopers also located Rooks in the fitting room, where she was actively cutting security tags from products with a tool. Both were apprehended without incident. The unknown accomplice fled prior to police arrival.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located approximately 17.85 grams of suspected heroin.

Wardlaw was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $60,000 secured bond.

Image of Ron Wardlaw

Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Theft – Organized Retail Crime Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Rooks was taken to Troop 6 where she was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $61,000 secured bond.

Image of Lashonda Rooks