Armed Robbery / Grand Larceny Arrests

On January 14th 2009 Martinsburg Police arrested three individuals on warrants for Armed Robbery and Grand Larceny in association with two home invasion type robberies which recently occurred at residences within Martinsburg.

The warrants were issued by State Magistrate Sandra Miller and were brought forth after Martinsburg Detectives, Lt GB Swartwood and Detective S. Doyle were able to identify all three suspects through witness identification, statements and physical evidence from both robberies.

The first home invasion robbery occurred on January 3rd 2009 at 104 Swartz Street Martinsburg WV. The second home invasion occurred on January 11th 2009 at 1013 South Raleigh Street apartment 6 Martinsburg WV. Both robberies were similar in method of operation and suspect descriptions.

One of the suspects was already incarcerated in the Eastern Regional Jail for one of the robberies. The other two suspects were arrested at an area retail store after allegedly shoplifting and being detained. They were then arrested on the outstanding warrants for robbery and grand larceny by Ptlwm. Kristal Barrett and Ptlm. Erin Gibbons.

A silver pellet pistol was also recovered at the place of arrest from the suspects and believed to be one of the weapons utilized in said robberies.

Arrested:
Leonard Anthony Wooten aka “Woo” DOB 7 9 67 who lists no fixed address. He was arrested for 2 counts of Armed Robbery and 2 counts of Grand Larceny.

Megan Renee Ryman DOB 4 2 87 who lists an address of 137 West King Street Martinsburg WV. She was arrested for 2 counts of Armed Robbery and 2 counts of Grand Larceny.

Henry Allen Payton DOB 8 1 68 who lists and address of 323 East Moler Ave. Martinsburg WV. He was arrested for 1 count of armed Robbery and 1 count of Grand Larceny.

All three subjects were incarcerated in the Eastern Regional Jail awaiting arraignment.

Robbery

The Martinsburg Police Department received a call at 2:17am on Jan 11, 2009 for a robbery which had occurred at a residence located on S. Raleigh Street (the exact address is not being released at this time). Information was provided that the unknown suspects had entered wearing ski masks and displaying a handgun. Officers arrived and spoke with the victim Martin Merritt age 50 who said that he was missing several items from the residence and the suspects took his keys and his 1997 Cadillac Sedan. Officers were told that a B/M W/M and two females where involved in this robbery. At this time this investigation continues.

Malicious Wounding Arrest

On Monday, January 12, 2009, members of the Martinsburg Police Dept. responded to 104 Swartz Street for a report of a stabbing. Upon arriving at the scene, the victim and several witnesses stated that while the victim was at the residence, an argument ensued between the victim and the resident, Richard Taylor. Mr. Taylor grabbed a knife and stabbed the victim once in the abdomen. The victim then fled the residence and a witness called 911. Neither the victim nor suspect would say what the argument was about.

Richard Taylor was later found at his residence and was taken into custody without incident. Mr. Taylor was arrested on the charge of malicious wounding and transported to ERJ to await arraignment. The victim was transported to CHI where he was admitted with non life threatening injuries.

Arrested: Richard Charles Taylor of 104 Swartz Street
DOB: 10-11-1955

Distribution of Cocaine Arrest

On Monday January 5th 2009 at 3:20 PM Martinsburg Police arrested an individual wanted on the charge of Distribution of Cocaine. The original case was investigated by members of the Potomac Highland Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

Martinsburg Police Officers Ptl. Brian Rouse and Det Lt GB Swartwood were notified by FBI Special Agent Ray West of a possible location for the suspect.

After performing surveillance at this residence the aforementioned officers made contact with the owner of the residence located at 205 North Tennessee Ave. Martinsburg WV. Entry was allowed to the residence and the suspect was located in a bedroom.

The suspect was arrested and taken into custody and then turned over to members of the US Marshall Service.

Arrested: Yarletta Santiago DOB 12/30/70 listing a former address of 195 Argyle St. Keyser WV.

Home Invasion Burglary

On Saturday, January 3, 2009 at approximately 2332 hours, members of the Martinsburg Police Department responded to 104 Swartz Street for a home invasion. The resident was at his apartment when a female knocked on the door. The victim opened the door and a black male then displayed a handgun and forced his way into the apartment. The victim was ordered to the living room and placed face down on the floor. Another black male then entered the apartment and the subjects then rummaged through the apartment asking the victim where the money was. The victim advised them that he did not have any money and the suspects stole the victim’s television and car. The vehicle was later located unoccupied and recovered by the Martinsburg Police.

Suspect 1 is described as a white female, 25-30 years old, approximately 5’7” and weighed about 120-130 pounds.

Suspects 2 and 3 are described as black males, in their late 30’s and weighing approximately 170 pounds.

Anyone with any information about this incident in asked to contact Pfc. J.S. Everhart or Detective Swartwood of the Martinsburg Police Dept at 304-264-2100 or Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999.

Robbery Suspect Arrested

On Saturday, January 3, 2009 Officer J. L. Harper arrested the suspect in a recent attempted armed robbery of Domino’s Pizza located at 1002 Winchester Avenue. Jeffrey Keith Hancock, Jr., 20 years of age, of 33 Sopwith Way, Martinsburg was arrested at his residence without incident stemming from the December 17, 2008 attempted armed robbery of the business in which the suspect held a knife to the neck of one of the employees as the suspect demanded money. The employee sustained a minor injury as a result of the assault. Hancock is charged with Attempted Armed Robbery and Assault During the Commission of a Felony. He was transported to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a Berkeley County Magistrate.

Traffic Accident / Fatality

A 50 year old Martinsburg man died as a result of a single vehicle crash on Friday, January 2, 2009. Rasikbhai Patel, of Winchester Avenue, had been operating a 2005 Honda Odyssey traveling north on Winchester Avenue at approximately 12:32 PM The vehicle left the roadway at the intersection with Alonzo Drive and struck two utility poles on the east side of Winchester Avenue. The vehicle then reentered the roadway and overturned. The Martinsburg Police Department and the Martinsburg Fire Department responded to the scene. Patel was transported by fire department personnel to City Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined and remains under investigation by the Martinsburg Police Department.