Cowboy hat burglar busted after botched dollar general break in
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Cowboy hat burglar busted after botched Dollar General break in

April 13, 2026
1 min read

Cowboy hat suspect caught after failed Dollar General break in sparks early morning arrest

Bear, DE — A man in a cowboy hat and long coat forced his way into a Dollar General before dawn Saturday but left empty-handed, only to be spotted minutes later at a nearby Wawa where troopers moved in and made an arrest.

Delaware State Police said the burglary occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. at the Dollar General located at 1815 Pulaski Highway in Bear. Troopers responded to a burglar alarm and learned a male suspect had entered through the front door.

Once inside, the suspect attempted to open a tobacco display case but was unsuccessful and fled the store.

Troopers canvassed the area and soon located a man matching the description at a Wawa on Pulaski Highway. The individual, identified as 32-year-old Anthony Ferguson of Hyattsville, Maryland, was detained without incident.

Investigators determined Ferguson was responsible for the break-in and took him into custody.

Cowboy hat burglar busted after botched dollar general break in
Photo: cowboy hat burglar busted after botched dollar general break in

Ferguson was transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, attempted theft under $1,500, and criminal mischief involving damage between $1,000 and $5,000. He was later arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.


Key Points

  • Maryland man arrested after early morning burglary in Bear
  • Suspect fled Dollar General and was located at nearby Wawa
  • Charged with burglary, attempted theft, and related offenses
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News