This article has been updated to reflect that Delaware State Police has identified the suspect, but was not arrested like CoastTV was previously told by Hopkins Farm.
LEWES, Del. — Hopkins Farm says a thief stole hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars worth of food and other products from its Open Air Market late Thursday night. That person was identified Friday by Delaware State Police.
According to a statement from the family farm, a man entered the Hopkins Farm Open Air Market around 10 p.m. and repeatedly took products including steaks, meat, olive oil, crackers, salt, seasonings, pies and cakes.
Hopkins said the man concealed his identity with a mask, hat and glasses and carried a black backpack. He also rode what the farm described as a distinctive Onewheel electric board.
DSP told CoastTV News that the suspect was identified on Friday. The farm said it will not press charges.
Walter Hopkins, former owner of the business, said "He has returned everything that he took. He has written a long note saying how sorry he is, and we are not going to press charges, but he is banned from the property."
"Our Farm was robbed last night. And I am angry, disappointed, and frankly heartbroken," Hopkins Farm said in the statement.
The farm said surveillance cameras captured the theft and appear to show the man transferring stolen products to a waiting car. (Hopkins Farm)
The farm said surveillance cameras captured the theft and appear to show the man transferring stolen products to a waiting car.
Hopkins Farm described the man as approximately 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants and a black backpack, according to the statement. The farm also said he appeared to be wearing an expensive headset.
"Every steak, pie, bottle and package that was carried away last night represents money already spent by our family and income that will never make its way back into the farm," the statement said.
Despite the theft, Hopkins Market is open Friday. The family is encouraging customers who want to support the business to shop at the market.
Despite the robber being banned, Hopkins heart goes out to the man, saying "... if this young man needs help, he needs to get help. And there's the food bank. We volunteer at the food bank, We give food to the food bank, and there's other ways that if he's needing some food, he can get it."
