DSP Connect Seaford Man to Burglary Spree Using DNA Evidence

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – The Delaware State Police (DSP) have arrested a man for a series of burglaries at homes under construction in Sussex County.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, police arrested 57-year-old James Deshields of Seaford was arrested without incident. He is charged with three counts of second degree burglary, three counts of theft greater than $1500, and related charges. Deshields was arraigned and released on a $27,500 unsecured bond.

DSP initially responded to several burglaries in Sept. 2025, in which the suspect entered residences and removed or attempted to remove refrigerators. Many of these incidents also resulted in damage to the homes because the suspect cut the water line to the refrigerator.

Detectives determined that one suspect, later identified as Deshields, and a Honda CRV had been observed at several of the crime scenes. Investigators also learned that the Georgetown and Seaford Police Departments were investigating similar incidents.

On Sept. 23, 2025, Deshields was arrested for an unrelated matter. While he was in custody, detectives obtained a DNA search warrant to compare his DNA against evidence that had been collected from one of the burglary scenes. Earlier this month, the Division of Forensic Science provided its report to authorities, which detectives subsequently used to link Deshields to the crimes.