Suspect jailed for previous assault on cop

The man shot by police Feb. 19 after he led them on a chase and threatened a trooper with a shovel had already served jail time for assault.

Keith Schueller of Rehoboth Beach was arrested Dec. 23, 2005, after police say he punched an officer in the face while the officer was trying to handcuff Schueller, a suspect in a string of burglaries in Rehoboth Beach. Schueller fled on foot and was later found on the roof of a home in the first unit block of Sandalwood Drive.

An officer first found Schueller asleep in his car with a plasma television stolen from East Coast Audio and Video Store on Route 1.

Schueller was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, second-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, theft, criminal mischief, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $1,550 secured bond.

Investigators linked Schueller to burglaries at DOT Discount Cigarettes, Music for a Song Outlet, Vernon Powell Athlete Store, Sony Outlet Store and Hazzard's Auto Repair. He stole about $3,000 worth of merchandise, police said.

In 2006, Schueller pleaded guilty to second-degree felony assault and three counts of third-degree felony burglary; he was sentenced to prison, probation and a drug rehabilitation program, court records show.

The court found him guilty of violating his probation in 2011, and he was given one year of home confinement, which was suspended for probation in 2012.

In a twist of fate, Schueller had been scheduled for a court hearing to pay his debt at 1 p.m., Feb. 19 - the same time police were chasing him through the Sandy Brae neighborhood. The court date, however, had been cancelled Feb. 15 because, records state, "Def paid as agreed."

Police said Schueller was wielding a shovel when he was shot by a trooper.

Cape Gazette reporter Kara Nuzback contributed to this story