Delaware State Police Troop 2 Burglary Unit Detectives charged two New Castle men in connection with four commercial burglaries that took place between January 31 and February 14 in New Castle County. Footprints in the snow from the scene led to the arrests.The latest incident occurred on Valentine’s Day at about 2:22 a.m. as troopers answered a burglar alarm at the Shell Gas Station and convenience store at 299 Christiana Road, New Castle.
Troopers discovered that the glass on the front entrance door had been broken and several cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products had been removed.
Troopers reviewed the video surveillance footage of the incident and were able to determine that two suspects forced entry into the business, removed tobacco products and fled on foot.
Troopers were able to locate fresh footprints in the newly fallen snow leading to and from the business. Troopers followed the footprint trail in the snow. That led troopers to residence in the 100 block of Freedom Trail in the community of Saddlebrook, New Castle.
Troopers talks with occupants of the residence, Brian L. Matthews Jr., 37, and Marquise J. Thomas, 22 and were able to connect the two men to the burglary at the Shell Station.
Detectives were also investigating other commercial burglaries and were able to connect Matthews and Thomas i to two break-ins at the same Shell Gas Station and the other at the Library News and Tobacco, Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington Matthews was also connected to a solo burglary at All American Tobacco Outlet, New Castle The cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products taken from the four businesses was valued at around $14,000.
Matthews and Thomas were taken into custody without incident. A search warrant for the residence and a white Ford Crown Victoria located in the driveway, matching the description of a vehicle that was utilized in another similar burglary, was executed. The search resulted in the recovery of the property stolen from the Shell Gas Station which was just taken, and several items of clothing and tools linking Matthews and Thomas to the other incidents.
Matthews and Thomas were charged with the above crimes in connection with the burglaries and were released on unsecured bond of $28,000 and $23,500 respectively
