Burglars crash, flee after stealing $29k worth of Coach purses

The Coach purses recovered by investigators.
Credit: Delaware State Police

Delaware State Police are investigating the burglary early Wednesday of a Coach outlet in Rehoboth Beach that led to a two-vehicle crash as the suspects sped from the scene.

Investigators said an alarm was activated at the Coach Outlet located at 34986 Midway Outlet Drive about4 a.m.

Responding troopers saw a black 2007 Mercedes Benz SUV leaving the shopping plaza and attempted to perform a traffic stop.

The vehicle allegedly disregarded the troopers’ signal and sped off, driving north on Coastal Highway.

As the SUV approached a slight curve in the road at the North DuPont Highway merge near Milford, it allegedly rear-ended a 2002 Ford Taurus in the northbound lane, causing both vehicles to spin out of control.

Police said the Mercedes came to a stop in the highway’s center median and its two occupants fled on foot across the southbound lanes of Coastal Highway.

The driver of the Taurus, 41-year-old Patrick Organ, was taken to Milford Memoral Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

Troopers were able to recover from the crash 85 Coach purses with an estimated value of over $29,000, but the suspects remain at large.

They are described only as two black males.

One man was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. Police said he was possibly barefoot.

The second man was last seen wearing a brown or gray hooded sweatshirt with black pants.

Anyone with information on the suspects or crime is asked to call 911, to contact Det. D. Cathell at 302-856-5850 ext. 214, or to submit an anonymous tip by texting CRIMES (274637) with the keyword “DSP,” calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, by downloading the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip App or by filling out this online form.