Another Suspect Arrested After Stealing Objects from Wilmington Cemetery

Delaware State Police recently arrested a 32-year-old suspect of Wilmington, Delaware for several thefts and other related charges following a series of thefts from All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington last year. According to police, between September 2024 and November 2024, troopers investigated multiple thefts of a similar nature from All Saints Cemetery which is located at 6001 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. Police say that in each incident, 4 unknown suspects, carrying large bags and backpacks, trespassed onto the cemetery’s property after hours, and stole bronze ceremonial vases from individual gravestones. The suspects would later flee with the stolen vases in a car parked nearby. Over the span of three months, the suspects stole nearly 200 vases, which totaled over $100,000 in stolen property.
Utilizing investigative means, the troopers identified the suspects responsible for the thefts. On February 19, 2025, three of the suspects were arrested at a residence in Newark. Troopers obtained a warrant for the final suspect’s arrest on multiple felony theft and related charges and made several attempts to arrest and locate him.
On March 9, 2025, the suspect turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $68,100 cash bond.
The suspect has been charged with:
- Theft Where the Property Value is $100,000 or More (Felony)
- Selling Stolen Property Value Over $1,500 or 2 or More Prior Convictions (Felony) – 7 counts
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Theft From a Cemetery
- Criminal Impersonation
- Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree
Understanding felony theft charges in Delaware
Delaware theft offenses generally follow a classification system that is based primarily on the dollar value of the stolen property. Another factor that can increase the severity of the crime is the vulnerability of the victim targeted. Penalties for theft range from a class A misdemeanor to a class B felony with mandatory prison time. For felony convictions, sentencing judges can impose fines of whatever amount they deem appropriate. They must also order defendants convicted of theft to pay restitution to the victims.
In this case, the suspects are accused of stealing more than $100,000 worth of property from the Wilmington cemetery. That constitutes felony theft in Delaware. In fact, the defendants will be facing a class B felony for stealing more than $100,000 worth of property. Any theft of more than $100,000 in property is considered a class B felony under Delaware law. The punishment for a class B felony is a minimum of two years behind bars. The maximum sentence is 25 years of imprisonment.
Talk to a Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Michael W. Modica represents the interests of individuals who have been charged with serious crimes in Wilmington, DE. Call our Wilmington criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
dsp.delaware.gov/2025/03/09/update-4th-suspect-arrested-state-police-arrest-trio-for-series-of-thefts-from-all-saints-cemetery-in-wilmington/