Traffic stop leads to burglary charges for Dover man

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State Police arrested a man during a traffic stop early Friday morning, after it was learned that he had just burglarized a bakery.

Just after midnight, a trooper saw a subject riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the highway on South Dupont Highway, in the area of North Taylor Drive. The bicyclist was also seen wearing all dark clothing, carrying a dark colored backback, and a large metal box, and the bicycle did not have any type of lighting or reflectors on it, making it difficult to see.

The trooper tried to stop the bicycle, but the bicyclist, 56-year-old Samuel Curtis, continued to flee. He fell off his bike on Nathaniel Mitchell Road, and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

At around the same time, troopers were called to the Bavarian Bakery on South Dupont Highway for an alarm activation. Troopers determined that the suspect had forced entry through the front window of the business, and several cash registers were damaged.

Further investigation led police to determine that the metal box Curtis was carrying had been stolen from the bakery. Police also found tools used to aid in the burglary in Curtis’ backpack.

Curtis was charged with third degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, theft, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and several traffic-related charges pertaining to his bicycle. He was later released on $15,150 unsecured bond.