Delaware Woman Arrested for the Theft of Copper Wire
Delaware State Police recently announced the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect of Greenwood, DE for multiple felony thefts. They are also currently searching for a second suspect. The pair are accused of stealing copper wire from irrigation systems in Kent and Sussex Counties.
According to police, between April 12, 2024 and August 16, 2024, detectives from Troop 3 and Troop 4 investigated multiple thefts of copper wire from irrigation systems in Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Houston. In each of the incidents, the suspects trespassed onto private properties, cut and removed copper wire from pivot irrigation systems, and caused significant damage to the equipment as they tried to remove the copper wiring. Detectives were able to identify two suspects who are accused of perpetrating the crimes.
The defendants are now facing charges of:
- Theft over $1,500 where the Victim is Over 62 (Felony) – 4 counts
- Theft over $1,500 (Felony) – 4 counts
- Criminal Mischief over $5,000 (Felony) – 8 counts
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
- Theft under $1,500
- Criminal Mischief under $1,000 – 2 counts
- Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree – 10 counts
Analyzing Theft charges in Delaware
Under 11 DE Code § 841 it is unlawful to deprive another individual of their rightful property. As a base crime, Theft is considered a class A misdemeanor. However, if the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, it becomes a class G felony which is the least serious form of felony and has a maximum sentence of 2 years. However, the defendants are not only facing four counts of Theft charges, they are also facing 4 counts of Theft charges where the Victim is Over 62 years of age.
Under the Theft statute, it is a greater crime to steal from someone who is 62 years of age or older than it is to steal from someone under the age of 62. This is to protect the elderly from scammers, but it also applies to basic theft charges such as stealing copper from pivot irrigation systems.
The law reads:
(c) (1) Except where a victim is 62 years of age or older, or an “adult who is impaired” as defined in § 3902(2) of Title 31, or a “person with a disability” as defined in § 3901(a)(2) of Title 12, theft is a class A misdemeanor unless the value of the property received, retained or disposed of is $1,500 or more, in which case it is a class G felony.
(2) Where a victim is 62 years of age or older, or an “adult who is impaired” as defined in § 3902(2) of Title 31, or a “person with a disability” as defined in § 3901(a)(2) of Title 12, theft is a class G felony unless the value of the property received, retained or disposed of is $1,500 or more, in which case it is a class F felony.
In other words, the defendants will be facing four counts of a class F felony for stealing from someone over the age of 62. A class F felony is one degree higher than a class G felony. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 3 years.
Talk to a Wilmington Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The Wilmington criminal lawyers at Michael W. Modica represent the interests of those who have been charged with serious crimes in Delaware. Call our Wilmington criminal lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.
Source:
dsp.delaware.gov/2024/08/21/one-arrest-made-detectives-seek-publics-help-to-locate-additional-suspect-in-irrigation-copper-wire-thefts/
