LAUREL, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested 49-year-old William Smallwood of Laurel, on charges of theft and other related crimes.
The arrest followed investigations into a copper wire theft earlier in July from the Carload Express railroad tracks in Laurel.
On Monday, Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit detectives began their investigations, revealing that an unknown suspect had stolen copper wiring from a railroad safety system.
This act caused damages worth over $10,000 and led to a four-day shutdown of the railway. Further investigations linked Smallwood to the crime, who was identified as the seller of the stolen copper at a Seaford recycling center.
Smallwood was taken into custody at his residence the next day, Tuesday, without incident. The charges he faces include Criminal Mischief Over $5,000, Theft Under $1,500, and Selling Stolen Property. Smallwood was later released on an $8,400 unsecured bond.
