FELTON — A team effort among law enforcement brought two arrests following burglary investigations at a public school and state water park last weekend.

Felton residents Eric A. Davidson II, 21, and Jacob T. Flannery, 23, were charged in connection with break-ins at Lake Forest North Elementary School and the Killens Pond State Park Water Park early Sunday, authorities said.

Delaware Natural Resources Police learned of the Felton police school investigation through that agency’s Facebook post, Capt. John McDerby said.

“Our Natural Resources Police - state park officer then reached out to them and determined that both incidents were linked,” Capt. McDerby said.

Capt. McDerby said Natural Resources Police and Felton police have a “great relationship and “shared suspect/vehicle descriptions to assist in solving the case.”

Capt. McDerby said a review of surveillance video from both scenes showed that the defendants were wearing the same clothing during both incidents.

In Felton, Chief Christopher Guild said, police were dispatched to the elementary school Sunday for a burglary alarm at 2:53 a.m. Investigation that involved fingerprint evidence and video surveillance determined that the defendants allegedly broke into the school through a window and stole computer-related items.

In the water park incident, the defendants were believed to have “entered the park on foot and walked to the water park. They then climbed the security fence that surrounds the pool area,” Capt. McDerby said.

He said entry was allegedly made at 3:04 a.m.

Once inside, according to Capt. McDerby, the defendants burglarized the park’s “lifeguard office and locker room, and the park’s concession stand/swim shop.

“They also caused damage at the park by throwing food, drinks and other items while in the swim shop and then into the main swimming pool at the water park complex.”

Police alleged that the men stole bathing suits before swimming in the pool and sliding down a waterslide.

Also, according to Capt. McDerby, a 50-pound bag of sugar was dumped into the pool after being taken from the concession stand.

“The damage was discovered by water park staff that arrived for the morning opening of the water park,” he said. The first session of Sunday was canceled.

Capt. McDerby said Wednesday that he could not estimate the damage “as we are still getting quotes for repairs, etc. Several hundred dollars in first aid equipment and employee personal items were damaged, as well as several hundred dollars of food, drink, supplies and sales products from the swim shop.”

There was $1,392 in water park entrance fee revenue lost from the online water park pass sales (162 were purchased online) that had to be refunded due to the damage, Capt. McDerby said.

There were 25 employees scheduled to work at the time of the closure, Capt. McDerby said.

There was also potential revenue lost, Capt. McDerby said as there were approximately 588 tickets still available for online purchase or walk-up purchase.

A Sunday’s first session typically sells approximately 375 tickets. The second session usually goes to capacity — 750 or more, Capt. McDerby said.

Capt. McDerby said Chief Guild notified Natural Resources Police that the defendants were to turn themselves in at the Felton Police Department on Monday. A Natural Resources Police officer was there when they did, Capt. McDerby said.

In the school incident, the defendants were charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree conspiracy, theft, under $1,500 and criminal mischief under $1,000 property damage.

The water park case included charges for both defendants of third-degree burglary (two counts), theft under $1,500, criminal mischief, second- and third-degree criminal trespass, and possession of alcohol in a prohibited area.

Additionally, Mr. Davidson was charged with a graffiti offense and Mr. Flannery was charged with second-degree conspiracy.

The defendants were video arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a no-contact order for all Delaware state parks and Lake Forest North Elementary School, police said.

Mr. Flannery and Mr. Davidson were released on their own recognizance pending a future court appearance, police said.

As to the scale of the incident compared to others at the park, Capt. McDerby said, “There have been previous burglaries and trespass complaints.

“Damage values have varied during each of these incidents.”

Standard operating procedure always involves an analysis of security precautions and measures currently in place, Capt. McDerby said.

“We always follow up and review our security protocols and update when and where needed, after an incident such as this one.”

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Other items that may interest you

View this issue of The Delaware State News or browse other issues.