Theft Suspect Caught In The Act

Theft Suspect Caught in the Act, Also Wearing a Stolen Trooper Anniversary Watch

Location: Parking lot of the TGI Fridays on Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, September 6, 2009, at 2:05 p.m.

Suspect(s): Angel Cruz, 54, of East Orleans Street in Philadelphia, PA

Resume: The following story outlines a real good reason to never give up hope when a treasured item is lost or stolen.

In the early afternoon hours on Sunday, September 6th, a State Trooper and his family had patroned the TGI Fridays on Rocky Run Parkway. After an early dinner, the officer was walking back to his vehicle in the rear parking when he took notice to a maroon Chevrolet Blazer positioned extremely close to his own car. As he walked a little closer, the Blazer drove away. The officer entered his vehicle and saw that someone had just burglarized his car by popping the passenger side door lock. A later inventory revealed his wife's wallet was stolen. The Trooper drove home to drop his wife off to make some calls and cancel their credit cards. He then got into his police car and headed back out to check the area for the Chevrolet Blazer.

After circling a few businesses on Route 202, the Trooper located the Blazer in the parking lot of the Sears at the Concord Mall. As the officer approached he noticed a male suspect leaning into an SUV parked next to the Blazer. This male subject was observed rummaging through the glove box. The Trooper identified himself and the suspect immediately leapt back into the Blazer. The driver's side door was ajar and the Trooper attempted to take this subject into custody. A struggle ensued and the suspect backed his vehicle up with the Trooper hanging from the door. The Trooper was able to put the suspect vehicle in park and detain the thief. Other Troopers arrived and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. He was identified as Angel Cruz.

Let's back up a couple of years. On December 21st of 2007, another State Trooper was patroning a business along the 4100 block of Concord Pike. While he was shopping, an unknown suspect had burglarized his vehicle and stole his State Police identification and credentials. The suspect also stole the Trooper's 20-year-anniversary watch, which meant a great deal to the officer. He believed at this time that he would not see his watch again- hope certainly dwindled away as time passed by.

Fast forward to September 6 of 2009. With Cruz in custody, he was searched and was wearing a DSP Troopers anniversary watch. It later proved to be the watch stolen in 2007. Cruz had modified the watch so that the months on the time dial were changed from English to Spanish. A computer check revealed the Chevrolet Blazer was a stolen vehicle out of Philadelphia. Cruz was also in possession of other stolen credit cards.

He was transported back to Troop 1 for processing. While there, he requested medical assistance. Cruz was transported to Wilmington Hospital and admitted for observation. In the meantime, warrants were prepared. Cruz was formally charged with the following offenses: Reckless Endangering (felony), Theft (misdemeanor), Receiving Stolen Property (felony), Resisting Arrest (felony), three counts of Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor) and three counts of Receiving Stolen Property (misdemeanor). Bail information was not available at the time of this release.