Firefly thief tries to walks away with 27 cell phones, gets busted

Jerry Smith | The News Journal

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A Miami man has been charged with the theft of 27 cell phones at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover after an iPhone app was used to track his whereabouts.

Also during the music festival, five men from out of state were arrested on various drug charges during Firefly and a South Carolina man was caught running an alleged counterfeit merchandise operation. The four-day event ended after Sunday evening performances.

When the Dover Police Department received several reports of cell phones being stolen from pockets, purses and even the hands of people taking photos or videos of shows, a Facebook warning was issued.

According to a police release, one victim who had her phone taken was able to track the phone using the “Find my iPhone” app and officers from Dover police and Delaware State Police tracked the phone to William Rodriguez, 34, and he was taken into custody.

Rodriguez was found to be in possession of 27 cell phones at the time, including the victim’s phone that was being tracked, police said.

The Miami man has been charged with three counts of theft under $1,500 with additional charges pending. He was jailed in lieu of a $3,000 cash bond.

Two Ohio men sold ecstasy to undercover officers

Dover police arrested two men from Ohio after they sold ecstasy to undercover officers in Firefly Music Festival’s camping Lot 2, the release said.

Zachary Williams, 23, and Edward Hartmann, 21, were arrested after Williams sold 1.4 grams of ecstasy to an undercover officer.

Officers then searched the suspects' vehicles and found 33 grams of ecstasy, 4.6 grams of cocaine, 1.1 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.

Hartmann and Williams charged with delivery of MDMA/ecstasy, possession of MDMA (Tier 5), possession with intent to deliver cocaine, second-degree conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver MDMA, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. They were released on a $142,300 unsecured bond.

Virginia man arrested on drug charges

A 23-year-old Virginia man was arrested on drug charges after selling amphetamine pills to an undercover Dover police officer, a press release said.

Shakir Styles sold three amphetamine pills to an undercover officer in Firefly camping Lot 2.

When officers attempted to take Styles into custody, he tried to flee and threw a bag containing more pills. Police said the bag was picked up by another subject and couldn't be located.

Styles was taken into custody and found with seven marijuana cigarettes (6.5 grams).

Styles was charged with delivery of amphetamine pills, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. He went to jail in lieu of a $7,500 secured bond.

Undercover drug operation nabs Virginia man

Dover Police arrested Parris Hearn (27) of Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon on drug charges during an undercover operation, according to a DPD release.

Hearn was contacted by police as a result of a drug investigation and was found to be in possession of 200 doses of LSD.

Hearn was charged with possession with Intent to deliver LSD and possession of LSD (Tier 3 quantity). He was sent to jail in lieu of a $5,000 cash bond.

Virginia man arrested with LSD, mushrooms, brass knuckles

Dover police say Andrew Arbieto (23), from Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested on drug charges following an undercover drug investigation.

Arbieto sold an undercover officer LSD and Psilocybin mushrooms. After Arbieo was taken into custody, he was found in possession of 30 doses of LSD and 32 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms, brass knuckles and 9mm ammunition.

The Virginia man was charged with possession with intent to deliver LSD, delivery of LSD, possession with intent to deliver Psilocybin mushrooms, delivery of Psilocybin mushrooms, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of LSD (tier 1), possession of ammunition by person prohibited, carrying a concealed dangerous instrument (brass knuckles). Arbieto was sent to jail in lieu of a $12,500 cash bond.

Counterfeit merchandise operation lands South Carolina man in jail

Dover Police Department arrested a 24-year-old South Carolina man Friday after he fled from officers during a counterfeit merchandise investigation.

A police release said undercover officers observed Hassan Mceachin selling counterfeit Firefly T-shirts in camping Lot 2. When they tried to contact him, Mceachin ran.

Officers caught Mceachin, but he continued to struggle, causing minor injuries to a Dover officers’ left arm, the release said.

Mceachin was found in possession of 37 counterfeit T-shirts, $850 in cash/proceeds and one gram of marijuana.

The South Carolina man was charged with second-degree assault on law enforcement, trademark counterfeiting, resisting arrest with force or violence, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was jailed in lieu of a $18,400 bond.

Reach Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.