Newark Police have identified a suspect in a series of burglaries and thefts from vehicles that have occurred since June 17th in neighborhoods off of Paper Mill Road.  In one incident, in the 200-block of Odessa Way, a suspect description was provided, based on security camera footage, that included a male in a distinctive two-toned baseball hat.  A Newark Officer who responded to the call observed the male in the area and identified him.  However, the security footage had not been obtained at the time of the stop and the male was released as there was no probable cause to arrest him.

Upon further investigation by Newark Detectives, William Stevenson, 30, of Middletown, was identified as the suspect in these crimes.  He is the male originally stopped by the Newark officer.  Detectives were able to link him to these crimes based on interviews, surveillance footage and other means.

Newark Police have obtained warrants charging Stevenson with the following crimes:

• Attempted Burglary 2nd (3 counts)
• Burglary 3rd
• Theft
• Tampering with a Vehicle (2 counts)
• Criminal Trespass 3rd (2 counts)
• Criminal Mischief (2 counts)

These charges relate to attempted burglaries in the 100-block of Cook Way, unit block of Wyncliff Drive and the 100-block of Odessa Way.

Stevenson is known to frequent the Apartments at Pine Brook on Paper Mill Road.

Anyone with information as to Stevenson’s whereabouts is asked to call Newark Police at (302) 366-7111 or 9-1-1.

Additional methods for contacting Newark Police can be found on our tips page, where a reward may be available.

The prior press release as to some of the involved incidents can be found here.

In September, 2016, a credit card skimming device was found on a gas pump located at an Exxon station at 820 South College Avenue in Newark.  The skimming device allowed the suspects to receive the card number and pin number of anyone who used the pump to make a purchase.  Newark Police Detectives began to investigate the source of the skimmer as that specific skimmer allowed the suspects to take thousands of dollars from victim’s bank accounts.  Detectives followed-up and found that the stolen card numbers had been used to withdraw funds at locations in both Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Further investigation revealed that two of the suspects were seen repeatedly using clones of compromised cards.  As the suspects were involved in crimes in both Delaware and Pennsylvania, federal agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation became involved and assumed the investigation.  Newark Detectives continued to assist in the investigation as the uncovering of the skimmer was the impetus to the discovery of this identity theft conspiracy.

On June 27, 2019, the suspects in this incident were indicted in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for their involvement in this identity theft conspiracy.  The suspects face varying possible prison sentences of up to 187 years and more than $7,000,000 in fines.

The United States Department of Justice press release announcing the indictment can be found here.