Beginning in 2024, the Newark Police Department initiated an investigation into a series of shoplifting incidents involving the same suspect. During the investigation, a female suspect was observed committing multiple thefts from retail establishments, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars in merchandise. The incidents were determined to be part of her ongoing organized retail theft activity.

Through coordinated investigative efforts by officers of the Newark Police Department and partnering jurisdictions, the suspect was positively identified, and arrest warrants were obtained.

The warrants included felony charges for Noncompliance with Bond, as well as 23 counts of Breach of Release stemming from prior shoplifting-related arrests and violations of court-ordered conditions. The suspect was also wanted for several capiases for failing to appear in court in connection with previous shoplifting incidents that date back to 2024.

On February 11, 2026, members of the Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit located and arrested Markesha Dollard, 40, of Wilmington, Delaware. Dollard was taken into custody without incident, and she was charged with the following:

Newark Police Department Charges:

• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 5 counts
• Possession of Shoplifter’s Tools – 5 counts
• Noncompliance with Conditions of Bond – Felony – 2 count
• Breach of Release – 23 counts
• Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree – 2 counts
• Theft – Organized Retail Crime – 1 count

Other Agency Charges:

• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 1 count
• Conspiracy 3rd Degree – 1 count

Dollard also had 8 capiases for Failure to Appear that were issued by the Justice of the Peace Court #20 and the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.

Dollard was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace Court #2 judge and was given $39,600 secured bail and an additional $10,000 cash bail.  She was transported to Baylor Women’s Correctional Facility.

Markesha Dollard

On January 21, 2026, at approximately 3:30 PM, the Newark Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) was notified that a Christina School District Constable had recovered a loaded firearm during a mandatory security screening for entry into a school sporting event at Newark High School.

The SRO responded and took custody of the firearm. A juvenile female was initially detained after the firearm was located inside a backpack in her possession. During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the firearm and backpack belonged to her boyfriend, a 17-year-old juvenile male. The female had no knowledge of the contents of the backpack.

Further investigation revealed that the juvenile male had brought the firearm onto school property and transferred the backpack to the female prior to the security screening. Once the female was stopped by security personnel, the male left the area.

Additional Newark Police officers responded to the school and conducted a search for the male both inside the school and in the surrounding area. He was later located at his residence and taken into custody without incident.

The defendant was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21 Years of Age
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm in a Safe Recreation Zone

The defendant was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace Court #11 judge, issued $15,000 unsecured bail, and released to a parent.