Milford Police Arrest Dover Man in Bank Attempt, Series of Business Burglaries

Milford Police Department’s surveillance work leads to arrest! Image courtesy of the Milford Police Department.

Surveillance review and follow-up detective work by the Milford Police led to multiple felony charges and the suspect’s continued detention

MILFORD, Del. — Careful investigative work by the Milford Police Department led to the arrest of a Dover man accused of attempting to burglarize a local bank and committing a string of business break-ins earlier this month, authorities said.

John A. Carey Jr., 26, was taken into custody Jan. 9 after Milford police identified him as the suspect in an after-hours attempted burglary at a Del-One Federal Credit Union branch. Continued follow-up by detectives later connected Carey to multiple burglaries at Milford businesses, resulting in numerous felony charges and his continued detention at the Department of Correction.

Police said officers first responded Jan. 8 to reports of significant damage to the front door of the Del-One branch. Surveillance footage showed a suspect attempting to force entry by throwing a rock through the glass. Investigators quickly reviewed the video, identified Carey as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant.

Carey was arrested the following day and presented in Justice of the Peace Court, where he was charged with attempted third-degree burglary, attempted theft of $1,500 or greater, criminal mischief of $5,000 or more, and third-degree criminal trespass. He was committed to DOC custody on a $4,050 secured bond, and a court-issued no-contact order was put in place with Del-One Federal Credit Union locations.

Rather than ending the investigation with the arrest, Milford police detectives continued their work and identified connections between Carey and three additional early-January burglaries at local businesses — My Sister’s Fault, TJ’s Auto Repair and Country Corner Market, police said.

That follow-up investigation resulted in additional warrants and charges, including wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, three counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of possession of burglar’s tools, six counts of theft under $1,500, and three counts of criminal mischief. Carey was arraigned on those charges and issued a $30,000 cash bond. He remains in DOC custody.

Police said the case highlights the department’s use of surveillance review, timely warrant applications and detailed detective work to identify suspects, connect related crimes and remove offenders from the community.

Carey is scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings in the appropriate courts — Kent County for the bank case and Sussex County Court of Common Pleas for the burglary charges — where prosecutors will present evidence and the court will determine whether the cases proceed.

Milford police said the investigation remains active and encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the department, noting that community cooperation plays a key role in keeping Milford safe.