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.
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