Philadelphia Man Charged in Newark, Wilmington Commercial Break-In Spree

Delaware State Police have arrested a 58-year-old Philadelphia man in connection with three commercial burglaries across New Castle County in March. Frederick Fenton allegedly targeted gas stations and liquor stores, using tools to break locks and stealing cash while wearing a mask.

Delaware State Police have taken into custody a 58-year-old Philadelphia resident named Frederick Fenton for his alleged involvement in multiple commercial break-ins that occurred throughout March in New Castle County.

The crime spree began on March 8, 2026, around 4:00 a.m. when law enforcement officers were called to an Exxon station on 2600 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark regarding a break-in. Initial police work showed that an unidentified male had used equipment to break the front door’s locking mechanism before gaining access to the store. After getting inside, the perpetrator took an undetermined sum of money before escaping.

A week later on March 15, 2026, at about 1:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to White Clay Liquors at 4614 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark for another break-in report. Police determined the perpetrator once again employed tools to compromise the front entrance lock before entering the establishment. The intruder made off with an unknown amount of cash along with several cigarette packages.

That evening at roughly 10:20 p.m., authorities became aware of a third break-in at Country Tobacco on 5998 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. Following the same pattern as the earlier crimes, the suspect gained entry by compromising the store’s front door lock and took an undetermined amount of cash. The perpetrator concealed his identity with a face covering during each incident.

The case was transferred to the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators uncovered that the suspect operated a dark-colored pickup truck and had swapped the license plate with one taken from a comparable vehicle to evade identification. Police also determined the suspect had visited at least one business several hours before the actual burglary, apparently to survey the premises. Through their investigation, detectives identified Frederick Fenton as the suspect and secured an arrest warrant.

On March 20, 2026, patrol officers spotted Fenton’s pickup truck on New Castle Avenue, initiated a traffic stop, and apprehended him peacefully.

Fenton was transported to Troop 2 where he faced multiple charges, was processed through Justice of the Peace Court 11, and was held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution under a $32,500 secured bond.

The charges against Fenton include:

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
• Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 – 3 counts