Business Owner Apprehends Burglar

Location: Rascals Restaurant, 1102 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, Delaware
Date of Occurrence: Monday, January 25, 2010, at approximately 12:45 a.m.
Suspect(s): John J. Morley, 37, of Syracuse Drive in Newark, Delaware

Resume: At about 12:45 a.m. this morning, the State Police 911 dispatch center, RECOM, sent patrol officers to the Rascals Restaurant for the report of a burglar being detained by the business owner.

Troopers arrived on the scene and took custody of the bandit in question, John J. Morley, Jr. Officers then conducted a check of the exterior and located a 2004 Saturn Vue with a shattered windshield. Inside, Troopers found a 30-year-old female who was suffering from an obvious facial injury.

The female advised that Morley was her boyfriend and she had just picked him up a short time ago in North Wilmington after his car broke down. She said that once he was in the car, they began to argue at which time Morley allegedly assaulted her, threatened her life and broke her windshield. He then ordered her to drive him to the Rascals Restaurant and wait for him outside.

Troopers continued their investigation and gathered the facts of the burglary. It was determined that once Morley and his girlfriend arrived at Rascals, he got out of the car and damaged an exterior window to gain entry into the business. Once inside he removed a cash register drawer and two bottles of alcohol. The business owner was upstairs when he heard strange noises coming from below. He responded to the lower level of the restaurant and confronted Morley he held him at bay until officers arrived.

John J. Morley was formally charged with the following misdemeanor offenses: Terroristic Threatening, Assault 3rd, two counts of Criminal Mischief and Theft. He was also charged with felony Burglary. He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a $5,200.00 secured bond. Morley was also ordered to have no contact with his girlfriend.