Maryland Duo Linked to Retail Theft Spree in Delaware
Two Maryland residents have been linked to a string of retail theft incidents and an attempted robbery at various businesses in Newark and Bear, Delaware. Haley Barton, 25, and Matthew Osborne, 37, are accused of stealing over $2,300 worth of merchandise from several stores between June 29 and July 27.
The investigation began after a reported shoplifting incident at the Home Depot in Bear on June 29. According to police, Barton loaded a shopping cart with over $800 worth of power tools and equipment before leaving the store and heading towards a pickup truck driven by Osborne. Customers followed them and recorded the incident, prompting Barton to abandon most of the merchandise.
The pair allegedly stole more than $930 worth of power tools from Lowe's on July 12 and over $560 in airsoft rifles from Cabela's on July 16. They also targeted ShopRite stores multiple times, with Osborne taking over $260 worth of merchandise on July 9 and Barton attempting to leave with over $200 worth of merchandise on July 27.
During the final incident at ShopRite, Barton allegedly pepper-sprayed an employee while Osborne entered the store to help her escape. The pair was arrested on July 29 in North East, Maryland, and is awaiting extradition to Delaware.