WILMINGTON, DE — Delaware State Police have apprehended 43-year-old Alexis Martinez of Wilmington for his alleged involvement in multiple burglaries along Philadelphia Pike. The arrest follows a series of incidents that have plagued local businesses over recent months.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday at around 1:53 PM at the Penny Hill Repair and Service Center, located at 517 Philadelphia Pike. Police were called to the scene following reports of a break-in by an unknown Hispanic male. Martinez reportedly fled on foot after being confronted by the auto shop’s owner.
Shortly thereafter, police received another call from Saint Helena Roman Catholic Church at 602 Philadelphia Pike, where the same suspect was reported to have unlawfully entered and committed theft. A responding trooper spotted Martinez walking south of the church and noted that his clothing matched descriptions from several other recent burglary cases, including multiple incidents at the White Glove Car Wash at 201 Philadelphia Pike.
Martinez was arrested without incident and transported to Troop 2, where detectives linked him to a total of eight burglaries at the aforementioned locations, dating from December 6, 2023, to May 26, 2024. Following his arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 11, Martinez was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $14,251 secured bond.