Kidnapping / Sexual Assault Arrest

On 03/05/09 Patrolwoman Barrett of the Martinsburg Police Department arrested Russell Coates on charges of Kidnapping and 1st Degree Sexual Assault, from an incident occurring on 03/04/09. It is alleged that on the previous day, that an 18 year old female had entered Mr. Coates’ residence located at 621 Virginia Avenue, Martinsburg WV and was held against her will for several hours. During the several hours, it is alleged that sexual acts were forced upon the victim. The female eventually managed to leave the residence and went to City Hospital for treatment, where police were notified.

Patrolwoman Barrett was able to gather information from the victim regarding the allegations and was able to obtain the aforementioned warrants of arrest for Mr. Coates. On this date, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department also executed a search warrant at Mr. Coates’ residence, 621 Virginia Avenue and were able to locate him in the residence. Initially Mr. Coates would not answer the door, which resulted in a forced entry style search warrant.

Mr. Coates was arrested on the charges and was arraigned by a Berkeley County Magistrate.

Arrested:
Russell Coates
DOB: 2/24/58
621 Virginia Avenue, Mtsb WV 25401

Juvenile Fugitive Arrest

On March 4, 2009 the Martinsburg Police Department arrested a 16 year old female student at the Martinsburg High School who was wanted as a fugitive from justice. The female was sought in regards to charges stemming from a robbery occurring in Washington County Maryland on February 23, 2009. The 16 year old female was arrested on the charge and was detained in a local facility. This investigation was in conjunction with investigations by the Washington County and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Departments.

Fugitive from Justice Arrest

On March 4, 2009 at 1 AM Cpl. Usack of the Martinsburg Police Dept had information that a Fugitive from Justice from Montgomery County Md., who was wanted for Failing to Appear on the Charge of Cocaine Possession was staying at 121 N. Spring St in Martinsburg.

He went to that address and located the Fugitive and placed him under arrest. He was taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a State Magistrate.

Arrested was:

Robert Wayne Haines
121 N. Queen St Martinsburg
Age 37

Death of PFC Roger E. (J.R.) Butcher and Funeral Arrangements

Death of PFC Roger E. (J.R.) Butcher
by : Chief T.C. (Ted) Anderson

With deep regret, the Martinsburg Police Department announces the death of PFC Roger E.(J.R.) Butcher, age 30, late Thursday evening, January 29, 2009, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. J.R. was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing.

Over the past year, J.R. has fought a valiant fight against cancer. His spirit and determination never waivered and each day he looked forward to and expressed optimism in returning to his full duties at the Martinsburg Police Department.

J.R. was a nine (9) year veteran of the Martinsburg Police Department. During his career, J.R. performed a number of assignments for the Martinsburg Police Department. These include the following:

School Resource Officer at Martinsburg High School
Assistant Firearms Instructor
Member Emergency Response Team
Advisor-Martinsburg P.D. Explorer Post #27
Martinsburg P.D. Bicycle Unit
Past Coordinator-“Bigs in Blue” Program with
Big Brothers/Big Sisters

J. R. was an August 2000 graduate of the 107th session of the Basic Police Training Class at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

J.R. loved his profession and enjoyed helping the community, most especially young people and adolescents. He was an outstanding role model and mentor and received numerous positive reviews as the 1st School Resource Officer at Martinsburg High School prior to his illness.

J.R. was well-respected and admired by his peers in the law enforcement- criminal justice community.

During his cancer battle, J.R. and his family received an enormous amount of support from the community in various forms such as financial, emotional and spiritual.

During his professional career, J.R. also worked for 4 months as a Deputy Sheriff with the Berkeley County Sheriffs Office.

Friday, January 30, 2009---2:00 P.M.
Issued by: Chief T.C. (Ted) Anderson

Funeral arrangements for PFC Roger E. (J.R.) Butcher, who passed away Thursday, January 29, 2009, has been completed.

Viewing for PFC Butcher will be held on Monday, February 2, 2009, at the Brown Funeral Home, 327 West King Street, Martinsburg, WV. The viewing will occur in two sessions. These sessions will be between the hours of 2:00 P.M-4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

The funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at 12:00 P.M. (noon). This service will be conducted at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Center, 273 Woodbury Avenue, Martinsburg, WV.

Interment will be at Pleasant View Memory Gardens, St. Rt. 9 East of Martinsburg, WV across from the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers be made to the following
entities:

"J.R. Care Fund”
c/o Bank of Charles Town
9738 Tuscarora Pike
Martinsburg, WV 25403

Martinsburg-Berkeley Co. Boys & Girls Club
105 West John Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401


Big Brothers-Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle
117 North Queen Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401

“

Officer Stabbed

In the early morning hours of Jan 26, 2008 Ptlm. Eric Neely was patrolling the Norbourne Cemetery on S. Queen St and found several people trespassing. Neely got out of his vehicle to speak to them and was rushed by one of them and knocked to the ground. Neely was able to defend himself and chased his attacker to the concrete wall along Wilson St.

Ptlm. Neely attempted to arrest this person and he was stabbed with a folding knife by this unknown person. Neely received slash wounds to his left leg which were superficial and other puncture marks on his uniform. Neely was taken to City Hospital for treatment and was released. The person responsible for this was able to get away.

His attacker is described as a white male, late 20’s, wearing a dark hooded jacket. He was about 6-0 tall and has blond hair. There were two other people in the Cemetery. They were a black male with a book bag and another unknown male. All persons had on dark clothing. Anyone with information on the identity of these people please contact the Martinsburg Police Dept.

Delivery of Controlled Substance

On Thursday, January 22, 2009, the Martinsburg Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics utilizing a confidential informant. During the course of the investigation, the confidential informant met an unidentified male and made an arrangement to purchase an amount of marijuana in the 300 block of North Maple Avenue. A short time later, the confidential informant and unidentified male met with another individual and completed a transaction in which currency was exchanged for marijuana.

Following the transaction, officers approached and took into custody the initial unidentified male, which was determined to be a 16 year old juvenile. The second subject sought in the investigation fled the scene as officers approached to make arrests.

The 16 year old juvenile was arrested, charged with Delivery of a controlled substance (Marijuana) and was detained in a juvenile detention center.

Vehicle Accident

On Friday, January 16, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. Officers of the Martinsburg Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash involving a Berkeley County School Bus and a Plymouth Voyager van in the 1300 block of Del Mar Orchard Road.

The investigation concluded that the van, operated by a 16 year old Martinsburg male, was traveling north on Del Mar Orchard Road and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle entered the opposing traffic lane and collided head on with a Berkeley County School Bus traveling south. There were two juvenile passengers within the van in addition to the driver. All three were transported to City Hospital with incapacitating injuries, but none appeared to be life threatening. The female driver of the school bus was not injured. There were no children on the bus.

The driver of the van has been charged with Failure to Maintain Control, Driving Left of Center, Seatbelt Violation and No Proof of Insurance. Also responding to assist at the scene was the Martinsburg Fire Department and EMS, the Berkeley County Ambulance Authority, the West Virginia Division of Highways and the City of Martinsburg Public Works Department.