The Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Mark Hartnett, of Wilmington, Delaware, and 38-year-old Thomas Drummond, of Newport, Delaware, on felony theft and related charges following a multi-month investigation into a series of metal thefts at businesses throughout New Castle County.
During the fall of 2025, troopers responded to multiple businesses in New Castle County for reports of metal thefts. The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation and learned the following:
On September 30, 2025, at approximately 2:15 a.m., two unknown suspects unlawfully entered a business property in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects removed approximately 200 pounds of aluminum wire and caused damage to the property before fleeing.
In the early morning hours of November 14, 2025, two individuals matching the same description entered another business property in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects stole several hundred pounds of HVAC-related materials and fled the area.
On November 27, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the suspects entered a business property in the 100 block of Carson Drive in Bear and forced their way into a box truck. They stole several spools of copper wire from the truck before fleeing the area.
On December 16, 2025, at approximately 3:40 a.m., the same suspects entered a business property in the 800 block of Powder Mill Road in Wilmington. They cut copper wire from a building which damaged the business, then fled.
On December 29, 2025, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the pair returned to a business in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects cut their way into a fence in search of more metal, however the business previously removed all items, and the suspects left empty handed.
On January 25, 2026, at approximately 4:40 a.m., the suspects again targeted the business in the 800 block of Powder Mill Road in Wilmington. They removed several hundred feet of copper wire and caused additional damage before fleeing. At the time of this incident, a weather-related State of Emergency with a Level 2 driving restriction was in effect.
Throughout the investigation, detectives observed that the suspects wore face coverings during the crimes to conceal their identities. In total, the suspects stole approximately $21,500 worth of materials and caused an estimated $78,800 in damage to the affected businesses.
Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspects as Hartnett and Drummond. Additionally, detectives learned Hartnett visited multiple scrap metal facilities and sold materials that were previously stolen from the businesses. Detectives obtained warrants for their arrests.
On February 20, 2026, detectives located Hartnett in Wilmington and apprehended him without incident. He was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $52,404 secured bond. He was later released after posting bail.
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
- Criminal Mischief $5000 or More Damage Property (Felony) – 3 counts
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
- Conspiracy Third Degree
- Theft Under $1500 – 3 counts
- Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1500
- Selling Stolen Property Under $1500 – 4 counts
- Criminal Mischief $1000 but Less Than $5000 Damage Property
- Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage Property
- Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 2 counts
- Fail to Obey Emergency Order
- Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 4 counts
On February 23, 2026, troopers located Drummond in New Castle and apprehended him without incident. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released after posting a $9,400 secured bond.
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
- Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
- Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
- Criminal Mischief $5000 or More Damage Property (Felony) – 3 counts
- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
- Conspiracy Third Degree
- Theft Under $1500 – 3 counts
- Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1500
- Criminal Mischief $1000 but Less Than $5000 Damage Property
- Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage Property
- Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 2 counts
- Fail to Obey Emergency Order
- Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 4 counts