Feb. 6, 2009         
Vol. 39, No. 40

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

State Parks Ranger Catches Fleeing Shoplifter

A Delaware State Parks Ranger from White Clay Creek State Park chased and apprehended a shoplifting suspect this morning near Newark and turned him over to the Delaware State Police for arrest and charges.

The ranger was on patrol in the area of Polly Drummond Hill Road and Linden Hill Road at 9:15 a.m. today when he noticed a suspicious person in the Polly Drummond Hill Shopping Center parking lot. When the ranger turned into the parking lot to further investigate the individual, an employee of the Rite Aid Pharmacy told the ranger the person had just shoplifted several boxes of baby formula.

The ranger observed the suspect walking towards Polly Drummond Hill Road and attempted to stop the person for questioning. When the ranger activated his vehicle emergency equipment, the suspect ran westbound into Middle Run County Parkland.

The ranger radioed for other officers in the area and chased the suspect as he ran in a valley along a stream bed. The suspect fell down an embankment, crossed the stream and climbed up the other side of the embankment. At this time the suspect stopped and surrendered to the ranger’s commands. He was then taken back to the shopping center and turned over to the Delaware State Police. The boxes of baby formula were found behind one of the businesses. 

The suspect, Jeremy A. Butcofsky, age 29, of Newark, was arrested by the Delaware State Police on charges relating to the incident. Police found Mr. Butcofsky also had multiple outstanding warrants in the State of Delaware.

For more information, contact Chief Wayne Kline, Delaware State Parks Enforcement, 302-739-9220.