Newark, DE – A Maryland man accused of repeatedly breaking into a Newark construction business and stealing tens of thousands of dollars in copper wire is now facing multiple felony charges.
Detectives say the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Matthew Ward of Elkton, Maryland, was linked to four separate burglaries over a three-week span.
Ward was arrested without incident in Newark on Thursday after investigators tied him to a string of thefts targeting United Lines Construction Services on Ogletown Road.
Key Points
- Police say Ward stole over $43,000 in copper wire and equipment from the same Newark business across four incidents.
- The thefts occurred between September 30 and October 21.
- Ward was released on a $6,800 unsecured bond after being charged with multiple felonies.
Business repeatedly targeted over three weeks
According to Delaware State Police, the first burglary occurred between September 30 and October 2, when a suspect cut through the company’s fence and stole about $5,000 in copper wire, causing $500 in damage. Just a week later, on October 9, another break-in netted more than $23,000 in copper and street lighting equipment, with over $1,000 in property damage.
Investigators said the same suspect struck again between October 15 and 16, stealing $15,000 in wire and damaging the property further. The fourth incident took place on October 21, when the suspect returned and took about $450 in copper wire without causing additional damage.
Investigators link suspect through evidence
Detectives with the Troop 2 Property Crimes Unit used video and physical evidence to identify Ward as the man responsible for all four burglaries. They located him two days after the final theft, taking him into custody without resistance.
Facing multiple felony counts
Ward was charged with six counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of possession of burglar tools, three counts of felony theft, one count of misdemeanor theft, three counts of criminal mischief, and four counts of second-degree criminal trespass.
After arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court 2, Ward was released on an unsecured $6,800 bond pending trial.