Delaware investigators linked the suspects to thefts at multiple stores before their arrests
NEWARK, Del. — Two Maryland residents are accused of carrying out a weeks-long retail theft spree across Delaware that ended with an attempted robbery after a store employee was pepper sprayed during an escape, according to Delaware State Police.
Investigators identified the suspects as 37-year-old Matthew Osborne and 25-year-old Haley Barton, both of North East, Maryland.
According to state police, the investigation began on June 29 after troopers responded to a reported shoplifting at Home Depot on Peoples Plaza in Bear. Investigators allege Barton loaded a shopping cart with more than $800 worth of power tools before fleeing to a pickup truck driven by Osborne. Customers followed the pair and recorded the incident, prompting Barton to abandon most of the merchandise before they drove away…