Two Suspects in Custody Over Reported Burglary of Storage Units
The Delaware State Police have identified two suspects involved in multiple burglaries that occurred at New Castle area storage units in November. Two suspects were taken into custody and a third remains at large. According to Delaware State Police, on November 16, 2024, troopers began investigating multiple burglaries of a similar nature that occurred at two Public Storage locations in New Castle on November 12, 2024. In each incident, 3 unknown suspects arrived at the storage facility in a rented Home Depot van. They entered the property under a fictitious account. Once inside the facility, the suspects entered and damaged multiple storage units.
Through investigative means, and in collaboration with out of state law enforcement agencies, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified the three suspects involved in the burglaries. Afterward, detectives obtained warrants for burglary and associated charges for their arrests.
The suspects have been charged with the following crimes:
- Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony) – 6 counts
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
- Attempted to Commit Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 3 counts
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Theft Under $1,500
- Criminal Mischief $1,000 but less than $5,000
- Criminal Mischief Under $1,000 – 4 counts
Burglary in the Third Degree
11 DE Code § 824 (2023) defines the crime of Burglary in the Third Degree. The statute reads:
A person is guilty of burglary in the third degree when the person knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime therein.
So, there are two elements to the crime of Burglary in the Third Degree. The first is entering a building unlawfully, the second is intending to commit a crime. Essentially, the suspects are accused of entering the storage units unlawfully and attempting to steal the property within the units. Burglary in the Third Degree is considered a class F felony in Delaware. Class F felonies carry a maximum sentence of three years behind bars. There is no mandatory minimum sentence for class F felonies.
Criminal Mischief
Criminal Mischief is considered a property crime. It is often charged alongside burglary because burglars tend to damage the property that they are attempting to access. In this case, the suspects have been charged with four counts of Criminal Mischief Under $1,000 and one count of Criminal Mischief of between $1,000 and $5,000.
11 DE Code § 811 defines the crime of Criminal Mischief. It is charged when someone damages the personal property of another individual or company. In this case, Criminal Mischief is only considered a felony when the suspect does more than $5,000 in damage. Otherwise, it’s charged as a misdemeanor.
Talk to a Wilmington, Delaware Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Michael W. Modica represents the interests of Delaware residents who have been charged with serious crimes. Our experienced criminal defense firm can help you plead down the charges or get the charges dismissed. Call our Wilmington criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
dsp.delaware.gov/2024/12/21/two-suspects-in-custody-for-new-castle-area-storage-unit-burglaries-one-suspect-remains-at-large/
