Man Arrested After Burglary, Vandalism at Dewey Beach Restaurant

DEWEY BEACH, Del. – A 23-year-old Middletown man has been arrested in connection with a burglary and vandalism incident that caused more than $6,000 in damage at a popular Dewey Beach restaurant, police said.

The Dewey Beach Police Department said officers were called to Woody’s Dewey Beach on Coastal Highway around 8:40 a.m. Friday after restaurant management discovered extensive damage to the outdoor deck area.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed Joseph Hoyle entering the business around 2:30 a.m. Police said Hoyle overturned tables, damaged furniture and destroyed an outdoor television valued at about $5,600. Total damages were estimated at $6,140.

Witnesses told police they saw Hoyle on the deck but believed he was an employee and did not realize any criminal activity had occurred because the area was enclosed, according to authorities.

Police said Hoyle was previously known to officers from an unrelated incident in which he had been contacted and released.

Hoyle turned himself in to the Dewey Beach Police Department on Saturday morning and was charged with third-degree burglary, felony criminal mischief involving property damage of $5,000 or more, and second-degree criminal trespass.

He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court No. 3 and released on his own recognizance.

The investigation remains ongoing.