Three arrested on drug charges following reported shoplifting

Clay, Howard, and Morris

SMYRNA, Del. – Smyrna Police say they have three people in custody after they recovered a large amount of drugs during a shoplifting investigation last week.

At around 2:30 PM on Friday, December 7th, officers responded to the Acme supermarket for a reported shoplifting. Store employees advised that the alleged suspects had gotten into a vehicle after taking merchandise from the store, and parked near the Dollar General store.

Police located one of the suspects, 32-year-old Ashley Clay of Dover, inside the Dollar General and found her to be in possession of stolen items. The two other suspects, 38-year-old Jeremy Howard of Magnolia, and 20-year-old Zachary Morris of Clayton, were found inside the vehicle outside of the store.

Further investigation led the police to discover over 11 grams of methamphetamine and 240 bags of heroin in the suspects’ possession. Police also learned that Howard and Clay were wanted multiple times out of Delaware Courts.

All three suspects were arrested and are currently being held at the Department of Corrections.