Rehoboth Man Arrested for Fitness Center Car Break-Ins

Rehoboth Beach - The Delaware State Police have arrested a Rehoboth man after he was linked to several car break-ins from local fitness centers.

Troopers assigned to Troop 7 in Lewes have recently been taking several theft reports from cars dating back to January 11, 2015. All of these thefts have occurred in the parking lots of local fitness clubs along the Coastal Highway corridor, such as, the YMCA, Club Fitness, and Rehoboth Cross Fit. On Wednesday January 28, 2015, detectives assigned to Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit as well as troopers from Troop 7 conducted surveillance in the parking lots of the three fitness centers. While doing so, a silver Dodge Status was observed in the early morning hours of the parking lot of Club Fitness on Oyster Road and then two hours later at the YMCA on Church Road with the same operator. A computer inquiry on the registration of the car revealed the tags were expired and as the driver exited onto the highway from the YMCA, a traffic stop was conducted.

Kenneth W. Tolodziecki, 38 of Rehoboth, was contacted and was unable to provide his driver's license, insurance, or registration on the car. An ensuing search of the car prior to it being towed revealed two spark plugs in the drivers' side door that were altered in order to make an improvised device commonly used to break automobile windows. In all of the reported incidents, a side window was smashed out. Tolodziecki was transported back to Troop 7 while detectives continued to investigate and later learned that he was staying at Sea Esta IV on Coastal Highway. Detectives confirmed with the management that he was residing there and while searching the area of the garbage dumpster near Tolodziecki's room, located a purse that was reported stolen from a vehicle in the Club Fitness parking lot earlier that morning before detectives began surveillance.

Kenneth Tolodziecki was subsequently charged with seven counts of Burglary 3rd, Possession of Burglary Tools, six counts of Theft, seven counts of Criminal Mischief, and various traffic offenses. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $23,400.00 cash bond.