Four arrested in connection to several Sussex Co. burglaries
Delaware State Police Detectives say they have arrested four people involved in burglaries and thefts which have been happening over the last two months.
William J. Tingle II, 28, of Ocean View, was arrested on October 6, after he was found to be in possession of crack cocaine during a traffic stop near Laurel. According to the report, a computer inquiry found he was wanted out of Worcester County, Maryland for several burglaries. When he was arrested, Tingle was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $3,000 cash bond.
Officials say that the car Tingle was driving was towed back to Troop 4 in Georgetown, where a search warrant was obtained. After searching the car, officers report that they found pieces of a birth certificate. When the certificate was reassembled, it was found to be a document that had been inside a safe and was stolen during a burglary in the 30000 block of Bunting Road, in Frankford, just two days before.
Detectives say they continued to follow-up on thefts from vehicles and other burglaries in the Selbyville and Frankford areas, and were able to link Tingle to 17 other complaints. He was additionally charged with three counts of burglary 2nd, twelve counts of theft under $1500 where the victim is 62 or older, eight counts of theft under $1500, criminal mischief, and fifteen counts of criminal trespass 3rd. He was arraigned at JP2 and remains committed to SCI on an additional $27,100 secured bond.
In a second and separate investigation, Thomas G. McCoy, 29, was taken into custody without incident on October 19. This arrest happened after he was stopped by troopers for driving a stolen car. Investigators report that the car had been stolen the day before from Hockers Grocery & Deli, in Millville, when a woman who was a customer parked her car in a parking spot with the key still in the ignition. According to the report, McCoy was standing outside of the store and could be seen through surveillance video entering the car and driving off.
Detectives note they were also able to link McCoy to another car theft that happened on October 17, when a man reported his pick up truck as stolen from the Rite Aid located at 219 Atlantic Avenue, Millville. In this case, the victim apparently left his keys on the seat and entered the store for a quick errand. According to the report, when he returned, the truck was seen driving out of the parking lot onto Old Mill Road. Detectives say that truck was recovered the following day in the area of Burbage Road and Jones Road, in Frankford, undamaged, however, the victim’s cell phone was missing.
McCoy and Amy N. Biddinger, 25, also of Ocean View were also reported to have been connected to a burglary that was committed on September 9 in the 30000 block of White Tail Drive, Selbyville, when McCoy was seen inside of a home, by the homeowner, before he ran away with an electronic gaming device and cash.
Thomas McCoy was charged with burglary 2nd, conspiracy 2nd, three counts of theft under $1500, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, selling stolen property, and two counts of driving without a valid license. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to SCI in lieu of $15,502 secured bond.
Amy Biddinger turned herself into police and was charged with burglary 2nd, conspiracy 2nd, theft under $1500, and selling stolen property. She was arraigned and released after posting $4,000 secured bond.
During a third investigation, Donald W. Elliott, 37, of Dagsboro, was arrested on Friday September 30, after detectives say they were able to place him at numerous burglaries to residences in the Dagsboro, Frankford, and Ocean View areas. According to the report, through witness interviews and victim’s accounts, the car that Elliott was driving was identified and found when he was arrested. In most of these cases, Elliott would allegedly forcefully enter homes through doors or windows, and once inside, he would take prescription or over-the-counter medication along with loose change.
Elliott was charged with twelve counts of burglary 2nd, three counts of possession of burglary tools, attempted theft under $1500 where the victim is 62 or older, two counts of acquiring prescription medication without a prescription, two counts of theft under $1500, seven counts of attempted theft under $1500, and six counts of criminal mischief. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $44,900 secured bond.
If anyone may have fallen victim to one of these suspects or have information regarding these investigations, they are asked to contact Sergeant Adam Wright at 302-752-3803, by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or via the internet. Anonymous tips also may be sent by text to 274637 using the keyword “DSP.”
