Detectives Arrest Pair for Apple Product Thefts from Vehicles in New Castle County

Date Posted: Saturday, April 6th, 2024

Delaware State Police arrested Cesar Alzate-Valencia, 37, of Elmhurst, New York, and Lina Martinez-Aristizabal, 31, of Corona, New York, for multiple Apple product thefts from vehicles that occurred in New Castle County.

Earlier this year, troopers investigated a theft from a vehicle at various locations throughout New Castle County on the following dates: January 17, 2024, January 27, 2024, and February 26, 2024. In each incident, the victims had just purchased Apple electronic products from the Apple store located inside the Christiana Mall at 125 Christiana Mall, Newark. The victims were then followed by the unknown suspects as they drove from the Christiana Mall to their next destination. Once the victims' vehicle was unoccupied at the new destination, an unknown Hispanic male suspect gained access into the victims' vehicle by using a pry bar-like tool to shatter one of the vehicle's windows. After gaining access, the suspect stole the Apple products and fled in a different suspect vehicle for each incident.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified one of the suspect vehicles as a 2010 black Nissan Rogue with Mississippi registration. On April 1, 2024, detectives were notified the Nissan was parked at the Christiana Mall and conducted a traffic stop on the SUV. Troopers made contact with the driver, identified as Cesar Alzate-Valencia, and the passenger, identified as Lina Martinez-Aristizabal. Detectives further identified Alzate-Valencia as the unknown Hispanic male suspect involved in all three theft incidents, and Martinez-Aristizabal as the unknown Hispanic female suspect involved in the theft on February 26, 2024.

Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Alzate-Valencia was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $16,500 secured bond.

Cesar Alzate-Valencia

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony) - 3 counts
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) - 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) - 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) - 3 counts
• Criminal Mischief - 3 counts

Martinez-Aristizabal was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution on a $7,500 secured bond.

Lina Martinez-Aristizabal

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief

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