WILMINGTON, DE – Michael Hughes, a 51-year-old man from Townsend, Delaware, was arrested and charged for felony thefts that occurred over a span of three months from the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington. The thefts involved lab and office equipment, valued at several hundred thousand dollars, which Hughes allegedly sold online.
The Delaware State Police Property Crimes Unit began investigating the thefts on November 12, 2024, after receiving reports of stolen equipment from the DuPont facility located at 200 Powder Mill Road. Preliminary investigations revealed that between August and October of 2024, several pieces of high-value lab and office equipment were taken from the property.
Through investigative efforts, detectives identified Hughes, who had been subcontracted by DuPont, as the individual responsible for the thefts and the online sales of the stolen items. A search warrant was executed at Hughes’ residence, leading to the recovery of a large quantity of stolen equipment valued at several hundred thousand dollars.
On November 19, 2024, Hughes turned himself in to the authorities at Troop 2. He was charged with felony theft of property valued at $1,500 or greater, as well as selling stolen property with a value over $1,500, in addition to prior convictions. After being arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, Hughes was released on his own recognizance.
Hughes now faces significant charges for his involvement in these thefts, and the case highlights ongoing efforts by the Delaware State Police to investigate and hold accountable those involved in property crimes, especially thefts from high-value institutions.