Georgetown man arrested for string of Sussex County burglaries

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Delaware State Police are thanking the community for their help in arresting a man accused of multiple burglaries in Sussex County. Police say 45-year-old Jimmie D. Hayes Jr. of Georgetown is responsible for a string of commercial burglaries throughout the month of August, and into early September. Hayes Jr. allegedly would force entry into businesses, steal merchandise, and put it in a bag before fleeing the store.

On August 19th, an unknown male suspect captured on surveillance footage during a burglary at the Uncle Willies BP Gas Station at 17581 Coastal Highway in Lewes. Delaware State Police asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, and were pointed towards Hayes Jr. Troopers were able to connect him to another two commercial burglaries in Sussex County.

Hayes Jr. was arrested on Thursday without incident. He was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 4 and charged with multiple crimes. That includes three counts of third degree burglary, three counts of possession of burglar tools, three counts of second degree conspiracy, and three counts of theft under $1,500. Hayes Jr. is also facing two counts of criminal mischief under $1,000 damaged property, and criminal mischief $1,000 to $5,000 damaged property. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court, and taken to Sussex Correctional Institution on $19,000 cash bond.