BREAKING NEWS -- Frankford man charged in daytime burglaries of local homes

Delaware State Police Troop 4 Property Unit Detectives charged a Frankford man this week in connection with eight residential daytime burglaries of unoccupied residences in the Frankford, Dagsboro and Selbyville areas in August in which jewelry and firearms were stolen.

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, detectives charged William J. Tingle II, 24, with a total of 34 charges, including Burglary Second Degree, Theft, Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy Second Degree, Possession of Burglar Tools, Criminal Mischief, Theft by False Pretense and Falsifying Business Records. Tingle was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution for lack of $9,200 secured bond.

Police said Tingle’s arrest was the result of a month-long investigation into the burglaries of homes on Townsends Road near Dagsboro, Old Mill Bridge Road near Selbyville, Smithfield Acres Road near Selbyville and Evans Road near Frankford. They said Tingle would enter the unoccupied residences through forced entry and, once inside, would remove jewelry and firearms, which included a handgun and shotgun.

According to the DSP, the investigation culminated on Wednesday, when detectives executed a search warrant at Tingle’s residence on Townsends Road near Frankford. They said detectives located Tingle hiding in the attic portion of the house, where he was taken into custody without incident. Detectives were continuing their investigation into the burglaries.