Authorities say, on the afternnoon of July 2nd, 18-year-old Jerel A. Thompson saw a 93-year-old woman struggling to open a door to leave the Dollar Tree in the Chestnut Run Shopping Center.
Instead of helping her open the door, Delaware State Police investigators claim Thompson walked up to the woman and stole her purse.
Police didn't have to go far to learn who they were looking for. A trooper began interviewing witnesses to the crime. The witnesses said that the suspect had applied for a job at the Concord Food Pet Store, next door to the Dollar Tree.
Delaware State Police arrested Thompson four days later, on July 6th. He was formally charged him with felony Theft and misdemeanor Loitering. He was released after posting a $2,000.00 secured bond.
On the same date of the arrest by the State Police, the Wilmington Police Department also arrested Thompson for allegedly burglarizing an apartment on Washington Street back on May 14th.
Police say he stole a computer and later tried to sell it at a pawn shop.
