Jones arrested after year-long shoplifter investigation

LAUREL, Del. – The Laurel Police Department made an arrest in a year-long organized retail theft investigation.

On May 31, 2023, police released multiple photos to identify a suspected shoplifted from an incident at the Laurel Walgreens. Soon after making the post, police found out that the same suspect was responsible for a string of nearly identical shoplifting incidents at Walgreens stores across Sussex County and Maryland.

Each incident resulted in a loss of more than $1,000 worth of stolen medication. Investigators worked with Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, New York City Police Department, Hartford County (MD) Sheriff’s Office, and Westport (CT) Police Department to get additional information.

Sterling Jones, of Jamaica New York, was identified as the suspect. Jones was indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury for multiple felony charges. He was extradited on August 2, 2024, after being arrested by the Flemington (NJ) Police Department during a routine traffic stop. He was transported to the Sussex County Superior Court to answer for the following crimes: