DOVER, DELAWARE (12/23/2014) Two Dover-area residents have been arrested and another is sought by police in connection with the theft of more than 15 air conditioning units to be sold as scrap metal, state police said today.
Police said the investigation began in early December after multiple residents of the north Dover area reported thefts of air conditioning units. The Pinewood Acres development alone had seven incidents.
Tyler J. Selheimer-Parton, 22, was identified as a suspect after he pawned a 27-ton Troy Built log splitter to Atlantic Pawn on Dec. 12. The splitter was later determined to be stolen from a home in Pinewood Acres, police said. He is still being sought by police and faces 15 charges of theft and related counts.
On Monday, Devin L. Winchester, 25, and Taylor M. Parton, 18, were arrested at Terrapin Metals, a recycling yard in Dover, as they were attempting to sell some materials, police said. Each was charged with 15 counts of theft and related charges.
Police said Winchester had sold three air conditioner coils to Terrapin on Friday that matched up with three units stolen from homes in Pinewood Acres.
Taylor Parton was observed with Selheimer-Parton removing an air conditioning unit from a home on Balsam Drive in Pinewood Acres in the middle of the day around Dec. 5, police said.
Parton was being held at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $9,700 secured bond.
Winchester was committed to Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $12,850 secured bond.
Police asked anyone with information on Selheimer-Parton’s whereabouts to call Detecitve M. Weinstein at 302-741-2813.
Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-Tip-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com.
After photos published, tip brings arrest of burglary suspect