YEAR-LONG ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT INVESTIGATION ENDS WITH SUSPECT ARRESTED

Laurel, DE - On 5/31/23, the Laurel Police Department released multiple surveillance photos to identify a suspected shoplifter from an incident at the Laurel Walgreens, 30182 Sussex Highway. Soon after making the post, it was discovered that the same suspect was responsible for a string of nearly identical shoplifting incidents from Walgreens stores across Sussex County, DE, and multiple stores in Maryland. Each incident resulted in a loss of more than $1,000 worth of stolen medication. (Original Post: https://shorturl.at/nh6fk)

Investigators worked diligently to obtain additional leads and information, with assistance from the Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, New York City Police Department, Hartford County (MD) Sheriff's Office, and Westport (CT) Police Department.

These invaluable partnerships provided enough information to identify the suspect as Sterling T Jones (29) of Jamaica, NY. Jones was indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury on 5/28/24 for multiple felony charges and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The information was relayed to authorities in Maryland, who also obtained a warrant for crimes that occurred in their jurisdiction. 

On 8/2/24, Jones was extradited to Delaware after being arrested by the Flemington (NJ) Police Department during a routine traffic stop. He was transported to the Sussex County Superior Court to answer for the following crimes:

• ?Organized Retail Crime (Class E Felony)
• Possession of Shoplifters Tools x3 (Class F Felony)
• Shoplifting Over $1500 x2 (Class G Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Class Felony)
• Shoplifting Under $1500 (Class A Misdemeanor)

Jones was committed into the custody of Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $2,500 secured bail, which has since been posted for his release. 

Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244 or by direct message to this page. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-847-3333 or texting "KEYWORD" followed by your information to CRIMES (274637). 

Tips submitted to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest are potentially eligible for a cash reward.