Delaware State Police arrested a couple in Rehoboth Beach on Mother's Day for allegedly shoplifting - on a nearly daily basis - hundreds of dollars in merchandise from a supermarket over the course of four months.
At about 3:40 p.m. Sunday, police arrested David B. Sankey, 53, and his 60-year-old wife, Diana, at a Giant Supermarket at 19312 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd. in Rehoboth Beach. Law enforcement officials have charged the pair with 83 counts of shoplifting items valued under $1,500 and 83 counts of third-degree conspiracy.
According to the police, an investigation into shoplifting instances at that store revealed that the Sankeys stole from the store on "an almost daily basis" beginning on Feb. 4 through May 8. Police said that the pair would conceal items - law enforcement officials said items included meats, hygiene products and other grocery items - on themselves. When leaving the store, the couple would pay for some items in a cart, but not for the items they had concealed, police said.
Loss-prevention officers at the store had been conducting surveillance on the couple and were able to apprehend them without incident on Sunday afternoon, according to police.
The total amount shoplifted over the course of the three months was more than $790, law enforcement officials said.
Both were arrested and released on $16,600 unsecured bond. Police said the couple are not to have any contact with any Giant food store.