Two arrested on theft charges after homeowner catches one

New Castle County police investigate theft at Gordy Estates home. (Photo: Delaware Free News)
Joshua Perry (Photo: New Castle County police)

NEWPORT, DELAWARE (6/15/2017) Two men were arrested on theft charges after a homeowner caught them in the act in his home, New Castle County police said Tuesday.

The incident happened about 9:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Harwood Road, in the Gordy Estates community north of Newport.

When the homeowner walked in, he found one of the intruders, identified by police as Joseph Basher, was holding the homeowner’s firearm, authorities said. The two fought and the homeowner restrained Basher until police arrived and took him into custody.

The second intruder, later identified by police as Joshua Perry, was tracked down by a K-9 and arrested.

The homeowner was treated for minor injuries suffered in the fight.

Basher, 29, remained in a hospital for treatment of facial injuries suffered in the fight, police said.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited due to a previous felony conviction, possession of ammunition by a person prohibited due to a previous felony conviction, theft of a firearm, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree assault and resisting arrest. He was arraigned at the hospital and committed to the custody of the Department of Correction after failing to post $31,550 cash bail.

Perry was charged with theft of a firearm, second-degree conspiracy and misdemeanor theft. He being held at Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington after failing to post $5,000 secured bail.