Delaware parents turn in son for church carnival theft

Jeffrey Maichle, 25, allegedly stole $18,000 from a Delaware church carnival. Credit: Delaware State Police

Delaware State Police on Wednesday arrested a Claymont man for allegedly stealing $18,000 in carnival proceeds from the Holy Rosary Church on Philadelphia Pike.

Investigators said Jeffrey Maichle, 25, was turned in Wednesday by two concerned congregants: his parents.

The Holy Rosary Church collected the money Friday nightduring a carnival.

A volunteer allegedly opened the church safe late Saturday afternoon to find $18,000 in proceeds had been stolen.

Maichle is accused of using his parents’ keys to unlock both the church and safe.

After his parents contacted authorities to say they suspected Maichle had been involved in the theft, troopers obtained a search warrant for the family’s home.

There, police said, they recovered most of the money, along with drug paraphernalia.

Maichle was taken into custody.

He is charged with third-degree burglary, theft of $1,500 or greater and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Maichle was on Thursday jailed at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $6,200 secured bail.