Newark Police arrest men in recent burglaries

3:10 p.m., March 19, 2012--Newark Police have arrested one man for multiple burglaries and trespassing incidents and two men in connection with burglary, vehicle theft and related charges. 

Multiple burglaries

Police charged William E. Caulk III, 34, of New Castle after an early morning apprehension on Sunday, March 18. Around 440 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the unit block of Cochran Way, after residents awoke to find a man inside their home. 

When confronted, the man fled. Responding Newark Police officers were able to get his description, which was then broadcast to other officers including University of Delaware Police. A University officer saw a man who matched the description driving a green Ford Explorer in the area of Wyoming Road and South Chapel Street. The UD officer stopped the vehicle, the driver matched the description and the officer arrested him for the incident. 

Through a subsequent investigation, Newark detectives linked Caulk to 11 additional incidents dating back to July 2011. All of them involved entry through unsecured doors or windows. In nine of the incidents, Caulk was confronted by the resident and fled without committing any other crimes. In three of the incidents, he removed currency from the residences.  

Locations included sites on Chambers, Continental, South Chapel, Duke and Haines streets, Victoria Court and Cochran Way. 

Caulk was charged with three counts of third degree burglary, six counts of theft under $1,500 and nine counts of third degree trespass. He was released on $30,000 unsecured bail.

Anyone with additional information about these incidents or Caulk should contact Cpl. Michael Watson at 302-366-7110, ext. 133 or michael.watson@cj.state.de.us. 

Vehicle theft

On March 18, Newark Police arrested Trey Miller, 19, of Hockessin, and Fabian Evans, 20, of Wilmington, for burglary, vehicle theft and related charges after they were tracked using a stolen smart phone. 

Around 2 a.m., March 18, residents of an apartment in the 200 block of East Delaware Avenue awoke to find two men in their apartment, one of them attempting to unhook a video game console. The two men, later identified as Miller and Evans, had gained access through an unlocked door.  When the residents work up, the two fled, taking with them several items including laptop computers and keys to a 2007 Nissan Maxima. They also took several smart phones, including one equipped with a GPS tracking device.

Using computer software, officers were able to track the location of the phone to a gas station at the intersection of Papermill and Possum Park roads. Responding officers located Miller and Evans who matched the description given by the victims. Tney also had the stolen property with them. 

Police learned they had crashed the Nissan Maxima on Papermill Road while attempting to negotiate a turn just north of the filling station. The vehicle overturned and struck a utility pole. Neither of the men was hurt in the collision. 

Both men were charged with one count of second degree burglary, one count of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft over $1,500, one count of second degree conspiracy and two counts of theft under $1,500.  Miller was released on $15,000 unsecured bail, and Evans was released after posting $15,000 secured bail. 

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Michael Szep at 302-366-7110, ext. 135 or michael.szep@cj.state.de.us.

Providing additional information

Anonymous tips can be submitted by text to 302NPD with the message to TIP411. Information also can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available. 

Protect your safety

Members of the University community are reminded to lock their doors, whether in on-campus residence halls or in off-campus apartments or residences. In both incidents reported here, burglars were able to gain access through unlocked doors.