Delaware State Police Arrest New Castle Man for Gas Station Burglaries- Wilmington

by Pat Haley

Wilmington- Troopers have arrested 31-year-old James W. Darden of New Castle for multiple commercial burglaries and related charges on June 24, 2020.

On June 24, 2020, at approximately 2:28 a.m., Darden approached the front of the Shell Gas Station located at 3001 New Castle Ave., New Castle, and smashed the exterior glass door with a rock. Once inside the vestibule area, Darden was unable to enter the business because there were bars on the interior business doors. Darden fled the scene and responded to the BP Gas Station located at 2038 New Castle Ave. New Castle, at 2:51 a.m. At BP Gas Station, Darden used a piece of concrete to smash the glass door and successfully gain entry. Once inside the business, Darden stole merchandise before fleeing the store without rendering payment. A trooper in the BP Gas Station area observed an individual matching the suspect description observed on video surveillance walking on Stamm Blvd. Troopers made contact with the individual, and he was identified as Darden. During this same time frame, Darden broke the window of a 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan with a rock parked in the parking lot of the Crossroads Shopping Center.

Also involved in these incidents with Darden was another individual. The other suspect is described as a white male, brown hair, wearing dark-colored clothing.

There are no surveillance photos available at this time.

Darden was charged with the following crimes:

  • Burglary 3rd Degree (felony)
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (2 counts-felony)
  • Theft under $1500 (2 counts)
  • Criminal Mischief (3 counts)
  • Conspiracy 3rd Degree (2 counts)
  • Attempt to Commit Burglary 3rd Degree (felony)
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (2 counts-felony)

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $13,000.00 secured bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

0
terms and conditions.

Comments