Image
Apr 05, 2016
Marco A. Zavala-Zavala, 18, of Newark, Del. and Luis Salmeron-Silva, 17, of Newark, Del. were arrested on numerous felony charges after an investigation revealed that they had committed multiple burglaries in the Rehoboth Beach area early Sunday morning. Francis B. Ortiz, 22, of Georgetown, Del. has also been arrested as an accomplace in one of the burglaries.
The investigation began on March 27th, 2016 at around 3:15am when officers responded to the Purple Parrot on Rehoboth Avenue for a burglary alarm activation. Upon arrival officers discovered that the business had been burglarized and money and alcohol had been stolen from inside. Investigators were able to obtain surveillance video that showed Zavala-Zavala and Ortiz were responsible, but their identity was unknown until the events of April 3rd.
On April 3rd, 2016 at around 3:00am officers were called to respond to another burglary in the area of Third Street. Officers contacted the homeowners on scene who advised they had been awoken by their dogs barking. The homeowners advised officers that they looked to see what was alarming the dogs and they found the front the window of their residence open and two laptop computers missing from their office.
Earlier in the evening an officer had contacted three Hispanic males, one of which was Zavala-Zavala, when he observed them standing on a bench in front of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company attempting to untie the rope attached to the flagpole. The officer collected their information and later learned that they were staying at the Breakers Hotel. At around 2:50am, just prior to receiving the burglary call, the same officer saw Zavala-Zavala walking in the area of the Breakers Hotel, within a block of the burglary, carrying an object in his hand that resembled a laptop computer.
Officers located Zavala-Zavala inside a room at the Breakers Hotel. When officers attempted to take Zavala-Zavala into custody he fought with them, attempting to punch one of the officers. Officers were able to restrain Zavala-Zavala and place him in handcuffs without causing injury. The two laptop computers were recovered at the scene of Zavala-Zavala’s arrest.
A follow-up investigation revealed that Zavala-Zavala had burglarized two homes and a vehicle, in addition to the Purple Parrot Restaurant & Bar, stealing a television, jewelry, and handbags. Investigators also determined that Zavala-Zavala had unsuccessfully attempted to burglarize three other homes within four blocks of the Breakers Hotel causing damage to the residences by cutting screens and breaking a door. Salmeron-Silva participated in the residential and vehicle burglaries serving as a look out for Zavala-Zavala. Both Ortiz and Zavala-Zavala were identified as the suspects pictured in the surveillance video from the Purple Parrot Restaurant & Bar burglary.
Zavala-Zavala, pictured below, was arrested and charged with 15 felony charges to include; 3 counts of second degree burglary, 3 counts of attempted second degree burglary, 1 count of wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, 1 count of third degree burglary, 6 counts of second degree conspiracy, and 1 count of theft under $1500 where the victim is 62 or older. Zavala-Zavala was also charged with 11 misdemeanor charges to include; 1 count of resisting arrest, 3 counts of theft under $1500, 1 count of attempted theft under $1500, 4 counts of criminal mischief under $1000 property, 1 count of second degree trespass, and 1 count of underage consumption. Zavala-Zavala was arraigned in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas and is currently being held on $76,400 cash bail at the Sussex Correctional Institution.
Image
Salmeron-Silva, pictured below, was arrested and charged with 12 felony charges to include; 3 counts of second degree burglary, 3 counts of attempted second degree burglary, 5 counts of second degree conspiracy, and 1 count of theft under $1500 where the victim is 62 or older. Salmeron-Silva was also charged with 8 misdemeanor charges to include; 2 counts of theft under $1500, 1 count of attempted theft under $1500, 4 counts of criminal mischief under $1000 property, and 1 count of second degree trespass. Salmeron-Silva was arraigned in the Sussex County Family Court and was released on $36,000 unsecured bail.
Image
Francis B. Ortiz, pictured below, was arrested for 1 count of third degree burglary, 1 count of second degree conspiracy, both felony charges, and 1 count of misdemeanor theft under $1500. Ortiz was arraigned out of the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and is being held at the Sussex Correctional Institution on $4000.00 secured bail.
Image
Presented by Public Information Officer Lt. Jaime B. Riddle.
