State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Division of State Police

Superintendent Robert M. Coupe

Updated DSP News Release #1: Thursday, September 03, 2009- Suspect Sought in Newark Area Burglary

New Castle County: Late last evening, detectives from the State Police Burglary Squad located and arrested Leo Pierce in connection to the burglary of the Valero Station on Old Baltimore Pike on August 24^th. 

Once in custody, detectives were also able to link him to multiple other burglaries in the New Castle County area.  Those cases are as follows:

• May 31, 2009- Sunrise Deli, 1607 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware
• August 3, 2009- Citgo, 2694 Pulaski Highway, Newark, Delaware
• August 8^th, 2009- Country Farms, 2136 West Newport Pike, Wilmington, Delaware
• August 11, 2009- Gas Way, 1607 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware
• August 12, 2009- Country Farms, 2480 Glasgow Avenue, Newark, Delaware
• August 24, 2009- Valero, 796 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware
• August 26, 2009- Deerhurst Exxon, 800 Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware
• August 27, 2009- attempted burglary at the Tobacco Plus, 602 Plaza Drive, Newark, Delaware
• August 27^th, 2009- Jack’s Country Maid, 5605 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware
• August 28, 2009- Valero, 2565 Pulaski Highway, Newark, Delaware
• August 28^th, 2009- Cigarette City, 719 Ace Memorial Drive, Hockessin, Delaware
• August 30^th, 2009- Valero 2565 Pulaski highway, Newark, Delaware
• August 31, 2009- Rent-A-Center, 186 Penn Mart Way, New Castle, Delaware
• August 31, 2009- Smokers Corner, 1251 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware
• September 1, 2009- Rent-A-Center, 186 Penn Mart Way, New Castle, Delaware
• September 2, 2009- Rent-A-Center, 38 Fox Hunt Drive, Newark, Delaware

Also, detectives learned that Pierce also was in possession of a stolen 2007 Hyundai Sonata on August 24^th.   During the commission of these burglaries, Pierce targeted everything from money to cigarettes to televisions.

Pierce was picked up last evening traveling on Route 13 and Bacon Avenue, in New Castle, at approximately 11:30 p.m.  At the sight of officers, Pierce fled in a stolen 2007 Hyundai Sonata into the development of Leedom Estates.  He ultimately bailed out of the car and was apprehended walking out of Chelsea Estates onto Route 141.   Pierce was transported back to Troop 2 where he, after being linked to the aforementioned incidents, was charged with the following 52 offenses: Attempted Burglary (felony), 15 counts of Burglary (felony), 16 counts of Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor), 10 counts of Theft (felony), 4 counts of Theft (misdemeanor), Attempted Theft (misdemeanor), Receiving Stolen Property (felony), Resisting Arrest (felony), Registered Sex Offender Failure to Verify Address  (felony), Conspiracy (felony) and Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony (felony). 

Pierce was remanded to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of an $83,189 bail.

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