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(New Castle, DE 19720) In May 2022, New Castle County Police were called to the 100 block of Hanover Way in Appleby Apartments for the report of a theft from a vehicle.

Officers contacted the victim who reported he parked his vehicle in the parking lot the night before.  The next morning, the victim reported he began to receive notifications from his banking institutions.  He responded to his vehicle and noticed his wallet and firearm were missing.

The investigation led officers to Walmart where they located surveillance footage of the suspects attempting to use the victims credit cards.

Officers located the stolen firearm days later in the community of Pennwood. 

Suspect #1 is described as a Black male with locked hair, glasses and wearing a black t-shirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, gold shoes, and a silver necklace.

Suspect #2 is described as a Black male with locked hair, black hat, black Adidas hooded sweatshirt with a white Adidas logo and stripes on the sleeves, gray Adidas sweatpants with stripes and black shoes.

Suspect #3 is described as a Black male wearing a gray sweatshirt and tan pants.   

Attempts have been made to identify the subjects in the surveillance footage and police are asking anyone with information related to the case or attached surveillance footage to please contact Officer T. Berry at 302.395.8171 or email at Terence. Berry@newcastlede.gov or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302.573.2800. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 (Delaware.crimestoppersweb.com) or visit NCCPD on Facebook (IM) at the New Castle County Division of Police.

There is a rising crime trend in Delaware and across the country involving residential burglaries of Asian business owners. Suspects working in groups are conducting surveillance on Asian-owned businesses to pick up on patterns and schedules. It is common for the suspects to enter the business or watch the outside from the parking lot to determine when the victim(s) is not home. Suspects will also follow victims from their businesses to identify their homes and vehicles. In most cases, the suspects may be from out of state or from a different country. Suspects will also move from state to state conducting burglaries. Unfortunately, victims are sometimes selected, in part, due to stereotypes that business owners have items of high value in their homes.

The New Castle County Division of Police is sharing several tips to prevent these incidents from occurring:

• Call 911 to report suspicious vehicles or suspects, especially those loitering near a business or parking lot.
• Be aware of anyone who might be following you.
• Use alternate routes of travel to and from work. 
• Install and ensure video surveillance cameras are functioning, and unobstructed.
• Talk with your HOA board about placing cameras near the entrance of the neighborhood.
• Install and test your alarm system regularly.
• Remove climbing aids like ladders and trash bins from around your property.
• Change the combination to your safes and bolt them to the floor.
• Keep high-value items in a safe deposit box or bank.
• Photograph and itemize jewelry and valuable items.
• Illuminate all entry points and exterior sides of your home and business.
• Motion sensor lighting will also help deter break-ins.
• Keep your vehicle and glovebox locked while at work.
• Lock all windows and doors before leaving home.
• Park in spots further from a business which will allow time to survey the parking lot.
• Be aware of any cars in your neighborhood that aren’t normal.
• Be careful in using social media and avoid posting information about valuables or schedules.
• Work with your neighbors to look out for each other.
• Lastly, if you are the victim of a burglary or attempted burglary, please call 911 immediately and refrain from disturbing anything at the crime scene.

Any reports can be made to 9-1-1 or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency line at 302.573.2800.

For more burglary prevention information, please contact the New Castle County Police Community Services Unit at 302.395.8050.