State Police Arrest Man for Robbery and Theft-Related Offenses Following Multiple Shopliftings in Wilmington

Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Garrett Hitchens of Wilmington, Delaware, for robbery and theft-related offenses stemming from multiple shopliftings that occurred over the last several months at businesses in the Prices Corner area in Wilmington.

Between April 25, 2024, and October 25, 2024, troopers investigated several shopliftings of a similar nature from businesses in the Prices Corner area in Wilmington. In each shoplifting, a white male suspect took various household goods and fled from the business without paying. However, the shoplifting that occurred on August 17, 2024, at the Acme located at 1308 Centerville Road, Wilmington, escalated to a robbery after the suspect threatened to kill an Acme employee as he fled from the store with the stolen goods. Through investigative means, troopers identified Garrett Hitchens as the suspect responsible for the robbery, and the 21 shopliftings that occurred over a period of 7 months and totaled over $5,600 worth of stolen merchandise. The thefts occurred at the following businesses in the Prices Corner area in Wilmington: Acme, Bath and Body Works, Target, and Walgreens (located at 2121 Kirkwood Highway). Troopers obtained warrants for Hitchens' arrest and made several attempts to locate him.

On October 28, 2024, at approximately 7:32 p.m., a trooper was conducting routine patrol in the area of the Prices Corner Acme when he observed Hitchens exit the grocery store. The trooper was familiar with Hitchens from previous investigations and was aware he was wanted for several theft-related warrants. The trooper made contact with Hitchens in the Acme parking lot, and took him into custody without incident. A computer inquiry confirmed Hitchens had several warrants and capiases for his arrest.

Hitchens was then transported by ambulance to an area hospital for an unrelated non-life-threatening medical condition. Hitchens was ultimately charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $15,002 secured bond.

• Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Shoplifting Over $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
• Organized Retail Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Shoplifting Under $1,500 - 12 counts
• Organized Retail Theft - 2 counts
• Breach of Release - 5 counts