Crab Pot Thieves Caught In Herring Creek

DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife officers make arrests for crabbing violations and crab pot thefts

DOVER (June 27, 2017) – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested two New Castle County men June 24, following an investigation into multiple crabbing and crab pot theft violations that occurred on Herring Creek in Sussex County.

Michael T. Schenck, 29, and Leon Gardner, 20, both of Wilmington, were each charged with two counts of felony theft under $1,500 against a victim 62 years of age or older, three counts of theft under $1,500, five counts of criminal mischief under $1,000, one count of conspiracy third degree, and 54 counts of possession of undersized blue crabs.

Both men were arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released on $6,554 unsecured bond each after transferring their cases to the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.