Rehoboth man charged with burglarizing restaurant

A Rehoboth Beach man faces charges Oct. 13, after police say he stole food and alcohol twice from a local restaurant.

Police were first called to The Local at 19819 Coastal Hwy. about 11:45 a.m., Sept. 27, for a burglary. They learned a man forced entry into an outdoor walk-in refrigerator behind the business, and stole a large quantity of food and alcoholic beverages valued at nearly $2,000.

Troopers responded to the same restaurant at 3:32 p.m., Oct. 13, for another burglary, and learned that a man wearing all black clothing and carrying a white backpack forced entry to the outdoor walk-in refrigerator. Once inside, the suspect stole food and fled the scene on a bicycle.

Troopers searched the area and stopped Craig Beckett, 60, who matched the description of the suspect riding a bicycle and carrying a backpack. While talking to Beckett, police said, troopers learned the stolen food was in the backpack. He was arrested without incident and connected to the September burglary. 

Beckett was taken to Troop 7 where he was charged with two counts third-degree burglary, possession of burglar tools, theft over $1,500, theft under $1,500, and two counts of criminal mischief under $1,000. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $14,000 secured bond.