Footprints in Snow Lead Police to Alleged Burglars

It seems the snow is good for something.

Delaware State Police say they were able to track the footprints of two alleged burglary suspects in the freshly fallen snow.

Officers were called to a Shell gas station at 299 Christiana Road in New Castle just before 2:30 a.m. Friday. When they arrived, they found the store's glass door had been broken and several cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products had been stolen.

According to authorities, state troopers found fresh footprints in the snow outside the business, which led them to a home in the 100 block of Freedom Trail in the Saddlebrook area of New Castle.

Inside the home, police took Brian Matthews Jr., 37, and Marquise J. Thomas, 22, into custody without incident. Investigators believe the men may be connected to three other burglaries that have taken place in the area over the last two weeks.

In all, $14,000 in cigarettes and other tobacco products were stolen, police said.

Matthews and Thomas face four counts each of third degree burglary and other burglary-related offenses.

Police say both men were released on bond.

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