SELBYVILLE — Four arrests were made in connection with alleged burglaries and thefts in Sussex County in the past two months, police said.
In the first Delaware State Police investigation, William J. Tingle II, 28, of Ocean View, was arrested Thursday after he was allegedly found to be in possession of crack cocaine during a traffic stop near Laurel. A computer inquiry revealed he was wanted out of Worcester County, Maryland for several burglaries, police said.
Mr. Tingle was then charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown on $3,000 cash bond.
Police said the vehicle Mr. Tingle was driving was towed back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where a search warrant was obtained and upon searching the car, pieces of a birth certificate were located. When the certificate was reassembled, it was determined to be a document that was inside a safe that was stolen from a burglary in the 30000 block of Bunting Road in Frankford two days earlier, police said.
Mr. Tingle was allegedly linked to 17 other complaints as detectives continued to investigate thefts from vehicles and other burglaries in the Selbyville and Frankford areas, according to authorities.
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Clockwise from upper left, Amy N. Biddinger, Donald W. Elliott, William J. Tingle Jr. and Thomas G. McCoy were all charged with various alleged burglaries in Sussex County. (Submitted photos/Delaware State Police)
Additional charges against Mr. Tingle included three counts of second-degree burglary, 12 counts of theft under $1,500 where the victim is 62 or older, 8 counts of theft under $1,500, criminal mischief, and 15 counts of third-degree criminal trespass. He was arraigned at JP 2 and held at SCI on an additional $27,100 secured bond.
In a second and separate investigation, police said, Ocean View residents Thomas G. McCoy, 29, and Amy N. Biddinger, 25, were taken into custody without incident on Oct. 19 after they were stopped by troopers for allegedly operating a stolen motor vehicle, police said.
Authorities said investigation found that the vehicle had allegedly been stolen the previous day from Hockers Grocery & Deli at 34960 Atlantic Avenue in Millville, when a female customer parked her vehicle in a parking spot with the key still in the ignition. Mr. McCoy was allegedly standing outside the store and seen through surveillance video entering the car and driving off, police said.
Mr. McCoy was also linked to another alleged motor vehicle theft on Oct. 17, police said. In that incident, authorities said, a man reported his pick up truck stolen from the Rite Aid at 219 Atlantic Avenue in Millville.
In that case, police said, the man left his keys on the seat and entered the store for a quick errand. When he returned, police said, the vehicle was seen driving out of the parking lot onto Old Mill Road.
That vehicle was recovered the following day in the area of Burbage Road and Jones Road, Frankford, undamaged, although, the man’s cell phone was missing, police said.
Mr. McCoy and Ms. Biddinger were also connected to an alleged burglary on Sept. 9 in the 30000 block of White Tail Drive in Selbyville, police said, According to authorities, Mr. McCoy was allegedly seen inside the residence by the homeowner before he fled with an electronic gaming device and cash.
Mr. McCoy was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree conspiracy, three counts of theft under $1,500, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, selling stolen property, and two counts of driving without a valid license. He was arraigned at JP 2 and committed to SCI in lieu of $15,502 secured bond.
Ms. Biddinger was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree conspiracy, theft under $1,500, and selling stolen property. She was arraigned and released after posting $4,000 secured bond.
During a third investigation, police said, Donald W. Elliott, 37, of Dagsboro, was arrested Sept. 30 after detectives were allegedly able to place him at numerous burglaries to residences in the Dagsboro, Frankford, and Ocean View areas.
Through witness interviews and alleged victim’s accounts, police said the vehicle in which Mr. Elliott was driving was identified and located when he was arrested. In most of these cases, according to police, Mr. Elliott would allegedly forcefully enter residences through doors or windows. Once inside, police alleged, prescription or over-the-counter medication along with loose change were removed.
Mr. Elliott was charged with 12 counts of second-degree burglary, 3 counts of possession of burglary tools, attempted theft under $1,500 where the victim is 62 or older, 2 counts of acquiring prescription medication without a prescription, 2 counts of theft under $1,500, 7 counts of attempted theft under $1,500, and 6 counts of criminal mischief. He was arraigned at JP 2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna on $44,900 secured bond.
Police asked anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact Sgt. Adam Wright at 752-3803 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. Anonymous tips may be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”