Troopers with the Delaware State Police on May 7 arrested two men believed responsible for more than 100 burglaries and thefts in Kent County.
The crimes were committed between Feb. 22 and April 14, said Cpl. Andrea Boone, spokeswoman for the state police.
The arrest of Daniel D. Hoffman, 27, of Frederica, and Matthew D. Hughes, 23, of Dover, were directly related to residential burglaries and thefts from residences as well as vehicles in Camden, Dover, Felton, Frederica, Harrington, Magnolia and Milford, Boone said.
Hoffman’s arrest resulted after a 911 call was placed to report a suspicious person in a Frederica neighborhood. Troopers responded and observed Hoffman allegedly breaking into vehicles. He was apprehended and his vehicle was found to be filled with stolen property.
Through the investigation, troopers were able to link Mr. Hoffman to numerous other cases, Boone said.
Additionally, an interview with Hoffman and other witnesses linked Hughes to the case, and he was arrested as well.
As a result, detectives recovered several stolen items that included cash and checks, purses and wallets, bank cards and identification cards, prescription medication, laptop computers and miscellaneous computer equipment consisting of GPSs, compact discs, DVDs, digital cameras, computer games, radar detectors, Ipods and stereo equipment, in addition to other personal items. Many of the items have been returned to the owners.
Hoffman and Hughes both received 112 criminal charges including 49 for burglary, 51 for theft, three for attempted theft, five for criminal mischief, two for conspiracy and one for criminal trespass.
Both were committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna in default of $85,750 secured bond (Hoffman) and $11,200 secured bond (Hughes).
The investigation is ongoing, as detectives are expecting to return more of the stolen property, Boone said.
Anyone with information relating to this case or who may be a victim is asked to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-2105, ext 314.
