UPDATE: Third Rehoboth Beach burglary suspect apprehended
UPDATE: Police say the third suspect, Francis B. Ortiz, 22, of Georgetown, wanted for burglarizing the Purple Parrot Restaurant & Bar, turned himself into authorities on Tuesday.
Police say Ortiz was arrested and charged with one count of third degree Burglary, one count of second degree Conspiracy, and one count of theft under $1500.00.
Rehoboth Beach Police say Ortiz is being held at the Sussex Correctional Institution on $4000.00 secured bail.
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Two Delaware men now face numerous felony charges after an investigation revealed that they had committed multiple burglaries in the Rehoboth Beach area, while police search for the third suspect.
Rehoboth Beach Police arrested both Marco Zavala-Zavala, and a 17-year-old minor early Sunday morning, and that warrants have been issued for the third suspect, Francis Ortiz, 22, of Georgetown who remains at large.
According to the records, the investigation began on March 27th, shortly after 3 AM when officers responded to the Purple Parrot on Rehoboth Avenue for a burglary alarm activation.
Officers say, once on the scene, they discovered that the business had been burglarized, and both money and alcohol had been stolen from inside.
Investigators were able to obtain surveillance video that showed Zavala-Zavala and Ortiz were responsible; however their identity was unknown until Sunday, April 3, when authorities had received a similar burglary call.
According to authorities, on Sunday around 3 AM, officers were called to respond to another burglary in the area of Third Street.
Officers contacted the victims at the scene, and were advised that the victims looked to see what was alarming the dogs in the middle of the night, and found the front window of their home open, and two laptop computers missing from their office.
Records recollect, that earlier that same evening an officer had contacted three men, one being Zavala-Zavala.
According to the officer, he observed them standing on a bench in front of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, as they were attempting to untie the rope attached to the flagpole.
The officer apparently, collected their information and later learned that they were staying at the Breakers Hotel. At around 2:50 AM, just prior to receiving the burglary call, the same officer saw Zavala-Zavala walking in the area of the Breakers Hotel, within a block of the burglary, carrying an object in his hand that resembled a laptop computer.
Officers located Zavala-Zavala inside a room at the Breakers Hotel. When officers attempted to take him into custody he allegedly fought with them, attempting to punch one of the officers. Officers say the two laptop computers were recovered at the scene of Zavala-Zavala’s arrest.
Investigators say, a follow-up investigation revealed that Zavala-Zavala had also burglarized two homes and a car, in addition to the Purple Parrot Restaurant & Bar, stealing a television, jewelry, and handbags.
Investigators also determined that Zavala-Zavala had unsuccessfully attempted to burglarize three other homes within four blocks of the Breakers Hotel, causing damage to the houses by cutting screens and breaking a door.
Records also state, the minor participated in both the home and car burglaries serving as a look out for Zavala-Zavala.
In addition authorities say, both Zavala-Zavala and Ortiz, the suspect still at large, were identified as the suspects pictured in the surveillance video from the Purple Parrot Restaurant & Bar burglary.
Zavala-Zavala, was arrested and charged with 15 felony charges, and 11 misdemeanor charges and is currently being held on $76,400 cash bail at the Sussex Correctional Institution.
The juvenile was also arrested and charged with 12 felony and 8 misdemeanor charges. He was arraigned in the Sussex County Family Court and later released on $36,000 unsecured bail, while a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Francis Ortiz, who faces 1 count of third degree burglary, 1 count of second degree conspiracy, both felony charges, and 1 count of misdemeanor theft under $1500.
Authorities say, anyone who may have more information on the incident, or the whereabouts of Francis Ortiz to please contact Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-847-3333 or online.
