Dover Man Arrested for Organized Retail Theft Valued Over $50K
DOVER, Del. – The Delaware State Police (DSP) have arrested a Dover man after they say he stole $50,000 worth of merchandise by recruiting individuals struggling with drug addiction to steal from retail stores in exchange for narcotics or cash.
Troopers arrested 67-year-old Michah Cuffee Sr. on four felony charges after he turned himself in to authorities. He is charged with organized retail crime valued over $1,500, receiving stolen property valued over $1,500, second degree conspiracy, and providing a false statement to law enforcement. Cuffee was arraigned and released on a $8,000 unsecured bond.
Over the course of several months, troopers investigated Cuffee after receiving information that he was recruiting struggling individuals to steal on his behalf. During the investigation, detectives determined that Cuffee was storing stolen merchandise at a motel in the 1700 block of North Dupont Highway in Dover.
On Aug. 4, troopers, with assistance from the DSP Criminal Investigations Unit, responded to the motel and recovered a large quantity of merchandise valued at approximately $50,000. The merchandise was stolen from multiple retail stores, including the following:
- Victoria’s Secret
- TJ Maxx
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
- Old Navy
- Ross
- Walmart
- Bath & Body Works
- Sam’s Club
- Ulta Beauty
- Five Below
- Redner’s Markets
Investigators also determined that Cuffee intended to ship the stolen merchandise to another country. During the investigation, Cuffee provided law enforcement with a false statement in an attempt to avoid prosecution. On Aug. 13, troopers obtained a warrant for his arrest.
