Milford man goes one for three in burglary spree

A would-be burglar used several items while trying to break into a Milton convenience store July 14, but he left empty-handed. Police say he was also unsuccessful at a Milford Grotto Pizza location, but was able to break into a Lewes store that same night.

Delaware State Police responded to the Valero gas station/convenience store on Deep Branch Road in Milton for a burglary alarm activated at 4:46 a.m., and they saw the front door and a large pane of the front window had been damaged, said Master Cpl. Heather Pepper of the Delaware State Police.

Upon investigation, she said, police learned Ryan P. Nay, 24, of Milford, drove to the Valero and used an old concrete parking bumper to try to break through the front door. He tried the concrete bumper several times, Pepper said, and when he was unsuccessful, used a metal object he found in the area to try and pry open the door. Still not able to break in, she said, Nay picked up a metal canister and threw it at the front door and window. After failing to break into the store, Pepper said, Nay fled the area.

That same night, Lewes police say Nay broke into the Daily Market in the 400 block of E. Savannah Road. Police found the front door shattered and various items removed from the store, said Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell.

After reviewing surveillance video from the store, Spell said, police identified Nay, whom they recognized from previous encounters. Spell said Lewes police contacted Nay by cellphone and were able to arrest him without incident. Nay admitted to trying to burglarize Grotto Pizza on Route 1 in Milford, Spell said. Lewes Police charged him with third-degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, and theft under $1,500.

Delaware State Police charged Nay with felony possession of burglar tools, felony attempt to commit third-degree burglary, criminal mischief, and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony.

Milford police charged Nay with third-degree attempted burglary, possession of burglar tools, and criminal mischief.

He was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $34,500 cash bond.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from the Lewes Police Department.