Police said the total damages to the business were estimated at $6,140
Credit: Dewey Beach Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- The man who allegedly vandalized Woody’s Dewey Beach in Delaware turned himself into police on Sunday, May 24
- Joseph Hoyle was charged with felony burglary, criminal mischief of property damage and second degree criminal trespass
- The business said surveillance footage showed Hoyle spending hours vandalizing the deck before reportedly taking a nap and leaving the scene
A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a Delaware bar and grill and vandalizing it.
Joseph Hoyle, 23, was arrested by the Dewey Police Department one day after Woody's Dewey Beach shared the damage online of its destroyed deck along with surveillance footage of the alleged culprit.
The Dewey Police Department (DPD) said on social media that he has been charged with a felony charge of third degree burglary, criminal mischief of property damage $5,000 or more and second degree criminal trespass.
Police said they were contacted by Woody's Dewey Beach management at around 8:40 a.m. about a burglary and vandalism incident that happened at the restaurant. Officers took a look at surveillance footage, which they claim showed Hoyle entering the business at approximately 2:30 a.m.
Woody's Dewey Beach did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Credit: Dewey Beach Police Department
“Investigators determined that Hoyle entered the deck area and caused significant damage by overturning tables, damaging furniture, and destroying an outdoor television valued at approximately $5,600,” the DPD said in a statement.
Police shared a photo of the damage, which showed overturned chairs and tables and several condiments strewn onto the floor. They said the total damages to the business were estimated at $6,140.
Witnesses told police that they saw Hoyle on the deck area, but thought he was an employee. They added that they hadn't seen “any criminal activity” due to the “enclosed structure.”
Hoyle, who was previously contacted by police and released in connection to an earlier unrelated incident, turned himself into the police department at around 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 24.
The DPD said its investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The arrest comes after Woody's Dewey Beach announced the vandalism in a viral post on its social media page asking the alleged culprit to turn themself in.
Credit: Dewey Beach Police Department
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The business alleged that a man arrived at the business and spent over two hours “throwing, kicking and breaking everything” on the deck, including “tables, chairs, TV, lights” and “anything he could get his hand” on.
Woody's Dewey Beach, which also shared surveillance video showing the man who was dressed in a blue “Delaware” sweatshirt, claimed he then “took a two hour nap” before waking up and leaving at 7:30 a.m.
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