Wilmington, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested 52-year-old Thomas Hetzler of Wilmington on retail theft charges related to multiple shoplifting incidents at the Wegmans located at 371 Buckley Mill Road.
On July 4, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, a trooper on duty was notified by a Wegmans employee about a habitual shoplifter trespassing on the property with a cart full of grocery items. The employee recognized the man as Thomas Hetzler, known from previous shoplifting incidents at Wegmans. The trooper confronted Hetzler as he exited the store with stolen goods totaling over $300 and took him into custody without incident.
A computer inquiry revealed Hetzler had an active No Contact Order with Wegmans issued by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas, and warrants for his arrest for similar shopliftings that occurred on March 19, 2024, and June 26, 2024, at the same Wegmans location. In each incident, Hetzler filled a shopping cart with various grocery items and left without paying.
Hetzler was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with multiple crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,250 unsecured bond.