Two Charged In Multiple Burglaries In Southern Sussex County

Location:  Various locations throughout Frankford, Millville, Ocean View, and Bethany Beach.

 

Date of Occurrence:   November 2011 to October 2012

 

Victim: 22 victims

 

Defendant, Charges and Bond Information:

 

• Jake N. Fox, 22, Frankford, DE
• 112 charges ranging from Burglary 2^nd, Felony Theft, Conspiracy, and Criminal Trespass

 

Arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $63,100.00 secured bond.

 

• Heidi M. Hitchens, 24, Dagsboro, DE
• 25 charges ranging from Burglary 2^nd, Felony Theft, Conspiracy, and Criminal Trespass

 

Arraigned at JP3 and released on $9,700.00 unsecured bond.

 

Resume:

Ocean View, DE- Delaware State Police Detectives have arrested a couple in connection with numerous burglaries and thefts that occurred in southern Sussex County.

 

On Sunday October 28, 2012, an officer with Ocean View Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Jake N. Fox and Heidi M. Hitchens and upon making a computer inquiry on the two, discovered they were both wanted.  A subsequent search of the couple’s car revealed items that were reported stolen from the local area.  Detectives from Troop 4 in Georgetown were contacted to assist in the investigation due to much of the area where the thefts occurred were outside the Ocean View limits.

 

State Police detectives along with Ocean View Police Department and Bethany Beach Police Department immediately began a thorough and comprehensive investigation into a rash of burglaries that had been reported in their areas and were able to uncover reports leading back to November of 2011.  The crimes entailed the suspects entering unoccupied homes and removing items ranging from jewelry, televisions, electronic devices, cash, and even prescription medications.  Most of the items were then taken to local pawn shops in exchange for cash.

 

Both subjects were taken into custody without incident and brought back to Ocean View Police Department.  Heidi M. Hitchens was arraigned on warrants that were filed by State Police from the 24^th of October for three counts of Issuing a Bad Check and released on unsecured bond.  She was then charged by State Police detectives for Burglary 3^rd, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy 2^nd, and Theft of Services and later released on unsecured bond.  Upon completing the investigation into the numerous burglaries in southern Sussex County, Heidi turned herself in to Troop 4 on Monday November 12^th for an additional 25 charges ranging from Burglary 2^nd, Felony Theft, Conspiracy, and Criminal Trespass.  She was arraigned at JP3 and released on $9,700.00 unsecured bond.

 

Jake N. Fox was arraigned on Burglary and other charges out of Ocean View P.D. as well as charges of Burglary 3^rd, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy 2^nd, and Theft of Services issued by the Delaware State Police.  He was committed to SCI on a secured bond.  State Police Detectives were able to locate over 20 victims of the crimes committed by the couple and on November 7^th, additionally charged Fox with 112 counts ranging from Burglary 2^nd, Felony Theft, Conspiracy, and Criminal Trespass.  He is currently committed to SCI on $63,100.00 secured bond.