Verizon store burglar arrested, charged in Harrington

Harrington Police have arrested and charged a Fort Washington, Maryland man in connection with a series of burglaries at Verizon stores in Kent County.

According to the Harrington Police Department, shortly before 3 a.m., Thursday officers received reports regarding a series of burglaries that occurred at Verizon stores in the Dover-area.

As a precaution, officers conducted a property check at the Verizon store in the 17000 Block of South DuPont Hwy. When officers arrived, they spotted a suspect inside the store stealing items.

When police confronted the suspect, he reportedly jumped out a window and fled on foot. Officers then deployed a K-9 who was able to take the suspect into custody without further incident.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Laron D. Allen, reportedly stole over $30,000 worth of items from the store, according to police, who were able to recover all of the merchandise.

Allen was transported back to the Harrington Police Department for processing. EMS responded due to the injuries he sustained during the K-9 apprehension, but he refused medical treatment.

As the investigation, Dover Police and Delaware State Police were able to link Allen to the burglaries that had occurred earlier in the evening in the Dover-area.

Allen was charged with Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Burglary Third Degree (2 counts), Possession of Burglar Tools, Theft over $1,500, Criminal Impersonation, Criminal Mischief over $1,000 but less than $5,000 and Resisting Arrest.

He was also charged with several burglary-related charges from the Dover Police Department and Delaware State Police. He has since been committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in default of an undisclosed amount of secured bond.