State Police Arrest Work Release Absconder for Stealing Over $48,000 in Merchandise from New Castle County Retailers

Date Posted: Wednesday, September 30th, 2026

Graphic titled “News Release New Castle County” featuring a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked with Wilmington skyline and train station in the background. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left with New Castle County highlighted in blue, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

The Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Steven Pozzie, of Smyrna, Delaware, on felony retail theft and related charges after he failed to return to Department of Correction (DOC) supervision and committed more than 25 thefts from retailers throughout New Castle County.

The investigation began in late August 2026, when Home Depot employees reported multiple shopliftings involving the same suspect. The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. Investigators subsequently received reports from several other retailers, including Walmart, Lowe’s, Target, Kohl’s, Acme, and Harbor Freight, involving the same suspect.

Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspect as Pozzie, a convicted offender who had failed to return to the Community Corrections Treatment Center after being granted an employment pass to leave the facility.

Between late August and late September, detectives determined that Pozzie targeted various retail stores more than 25 times. Investigators also determined that he worked with several accomplices, used multiple vehicles, and frequently used tools to damage product security devices before stealing merchandise. During the investigation, detectives determined that Pozzie stole more than $48,000 worth of merchandise and caused more than $4,000 in damage to the businesses.

On September 23, 2026, detectives learned that Pozzie had committed another shoplifting at a Lowe’s in Newark and fled the area in a Lexus SUV. Investigators located the unoccupied vehicle on Vandever Avenue near Northeast Boulevard in Wilmington. Detectives searched the surrounding area and located Pozzie in a nearby alleyway, where he was taken into custody. While speaking with detectives, Pozzie provided a false identity multiple times.

A search of Pozzie resulted in the recovery of drug paraphernalia and approximately 0.01 grams of suspected crack cocaine. Detectives also searched the Lexus and recovered tools he used during previous shopliftings.

Pozzie was taken to a local hospital after he requested treatment for an unrelated, non-life-threatening injury. While at the hospital, he was returned to DOC custody.

On September 28, 2026, following his discharge from the hospital, Pozzie was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and remained in Department of Correction custody on a $44,200 cash bond.

Mugshot Image of Steen Pozzie