Dec. 8, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 548

For more information, contact Chief Wayne Kline, Delaware State Parks Enforcement Section, 302-739-9220, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Delaware Park Rangers Catch Suspect in Smash-and-Grab Case

DNREC Park Rangers on Dec. 5 arrested a Wilmington man in connection with a smash-and-grab that occurred in Brandywine Creek State Park in Wilmington. 

Rangers were called to the area of Thompsons Bridge within Brandywine Creek State Park at 10:30 a.m. on Friday to investigate a reported smash-and-grab. When Rangers arrived, two victims stated that both of their cars had broken windows with valuables removed. Both victims had credit cards stolen and one had a Verizon Trio cellular phone taken.

The victims contacted their credit card companies at the scene and reported to the officers that new purchases had been made at the following stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. Rangers tracked one of the card purchases to the Best Buy on Concord Pike. After reviewing store video surveillance, the Rangers obtained the suspect’s description. Store employees identified the suspect as the individual who tried to use one of the victim’s credit cards.

Rangers continued to the Circuit City on Concord Pike and viewed the store’s video footage of the same suspect using one of the victim’s credit cards. Store employees gave the same description of the suspect. The Rangers continued to the Best Buy on Farrand Drive in Wilmington, where one of the victim’s credit cards was used to purchase an $800 gift card. As the Rangers were viewing the store surveillance video, an employee advised them that the suspect was in the store. After confronting the suspect at the front of the store, a brief struggle and chase ensued and the Rangers took the suspect into custody.

Aaron L. Bruton, age 27, of Wilmington, was charged with 15 felonies and 8 misdemeanors related to the incident. Charges included felony theft, identity theft, forgery, unlawful use of a credit card, criminal impersonation, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, burglary and possession of burglary tools. Bruton was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington for lack of $110,000 secured bond. Bruton was also wanted on three outstanding charges in Delaware.

The arrest has given leads to the New Castle County Police Department relating to a felony theft, and the Delaware State Police for investigations into other smash-and-grabs and a vehicle theft. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Aston Police Department in Pennsylvania are also investigating leads in their respective jurisdictions related to the same subject.