Investigators say the pair stole over $21,000 in copper and aluminum and caused nearly $80,000 in damage during a series of break-ins at local businesses.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested 32-year-old Mark Hartnett of Wilmington and 38-year-old Thomas Drummond of Newport following a months-long investigation into a string of metal thefts targeting multiple businesses across New Castle County. The pair face numerous felony theft and related charges stemming from incidents between September 2025 and January 2026.
Key Points
- Two suspects arrested after a five-month investigation into metal thefts across New Castle County
- More than $21,000 in copper and aluminum stolen; $78,800 in property damage reported
- Arrests followed surveillance and scrap yard evidence linking the suspects to multiple crime scenes
Businesses across New Castle, Bear, and Wilmington targeted
Detectives say the suspects repeatedly broke into businesses in the unit block of King Court in New Castle, as well as locations in Bear and Wilmington. The first theft occurred on September 30, 2025, when 200 pounds of aluminum wire was stolen from a New Castle business. Subsequent incidents included the theft of HVAC materials, spools of copper wire, and large sections of electrical wiring…