Newark man accused of stealing $40,000 worth of merchandise in organized retail theft scheme

A Newark man is behind bars, accused of orchestrating an organized retail theft scheme that stole more than $40,000 worth of merchandise from stores around New Castle County.

Delaware State Police said Moses Warren, 33, is responsible for at least 18 incidents of shoplifting from late May through the end of June. He is accused of stealing eyewear, cigarettes and various household goods from stores including Giant, Rite Aid, Royal Farms, Kohl’s, Sunglass Hut at Macy’s, Walgreens and Wawa.

Police identified Warren as a suspect and obtained arrest warrants for him but were unable to find him until June 30, when Warren and two accomplices shoplifted from the Kohl's on Rocky Run Boulevard north of Wilmington, authorities said.

Troopers responding to the incident saw Warren walking along Concord Pike, recognized him as the suspect in the previous incidents and arrested him. Warren was carrying a bag containing more than $2,000 worth of items stolen from Kohl's, police said.

In addition to several shoplifting warrants, Warren was also wanted on a capias from the Court of Common Pleas and had been ordered by a judge to have no contact with any Walgreens location in Delaware.

Warren was charged with 29 offenses, including organized retail theft, shoplifting, wearing a disguise while committing a felony, possession of shoplifter tools, trespassing and breach of release. He was jailed after failing to post $99,102 cash bond.

State law defines organized retail crime as the theft of items in quantities that would not normally be purchased for personal use, with the intent of reselling the items for profit.

Troopers are still trying to identify as many as four accomplices that assisted in some of the shoplifting incidents.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Cpl. J. Boyda at 302-761-6677. Information can also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delaware.crimestoppers.com.