NEWS

Police: Uber driver targeted homes when people were away

Delmarva Staff Reports
Uber driver and burglary suspect Saddam Awadallah.

An Uber driver has been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries in Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.

Delaware State Police, in conjunction with the Bethany Beach Police Department, announced the arrest of 26-year-old Saddam A. Awadallah of Frankford. Awadallah was tracked down in Tennessee and extradited back to the First State on Feb. 13, state police said.

State police said Awadallah worked as an Uber driver for customers in Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. While patrons were away at businesses and restaurants in Ocean City and Dewey Beach, state police say Awadallah would burglarize their homes for credit cards, computers, watches, cellphones, tablets, sunglasses and other items of value.

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Awadallah has been charged with three counts of second-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft from a victim older than 62, 11 counts of theft and criminal mischief. Following arraignment in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas, he was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $31,000 bond, state police said.

The burglaries are still under investigation. Anyone who may have been a victim or might have information relating to this case is asked to contact Delaware State Police detective T. Powell at 302-752-3807 or submit a tip at Delware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Tipsters can also submit information at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. or by texting the tip to 274637.

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