Shots Fired

On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at approximately 0400hrs, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department responded to 5 Wilson Street, located in the Wilson Street Apartment Complex in reference to shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located spent shell casings and were advised by several witnesses that an unknown black male had fired several rounds from the residence at another unknown black male. Officers were unable to locate persons involved in the incident but were advised that a fight had taken between the two males in the residence prior to the shooting. It is also not known whether or not any persons had been shot in the incident although officers did not locate evidence that would confirm any person had been struck.

Anyone with information regarding this incident are urged to the contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100.

Donald Surber update

The Martinsburg Police Department is releasing a follow up press release in regards to Donald Surber. As previously stated a warrant for felony escape from a correctional facility has been issued for his arrest.

The suspect is still a patient at the Winchester Medical Facility in Winchester Virginia as of the time of this press release.

The Martinsburg Police Department is expecting to complete it's preliminary investigation into this escape, excluding any examinations which may be performed by the West Virginia State Police Crime Laboratory on the forensic evidence.

It is expected that the initial report of the investigation will be finalized later this week and it will then be submitted to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review.

Bank Robbery

On Monday, June 22, 2009, at approximately 9am, the Martinsburg Police Department responded to First United Bank & Trust, located at 980 Foxcroft Avenue, in reference to a bank robbery that had just occurred. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a teller who advised that a male subject had entered the business and presented a note which demanded money. The teller complied with the demand and the subject left the bank with an undisclosed amount of currency. The subject then proceeded to the leave the area on foot.

The subject is described as a black male, approximately 5'6- 5'7 in height, early to mid 30's, slender build and having an unshaven appearance. He was wearing a black shirt with a white shirt underneath, a baseball style hat and sunglasses.

The incident was being investigated by the Martinsburg Police Department and the Martinsburg branch of the FBI as well as assistance by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone with information pertaining to this bank robbery is urged to contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100.

Bank Photo of Suspect

Inmate Attempts Escape - Shot

On June 19th 2009 at approximately 8:30 PM officers of the Martinsburg Police Department responded to the Martinsburg City Hospital Emergency Rom for a shots fired call.
Once on scene officers secured the area and made contact with witnesses and parties involved.

The investigation revealed, and is alleged in the complaint for warrant that an inmate from the Eastern Regional Jail was brought to the hospital for treatment for self inflicted cuts to his wrists. After being treated for his injuries the inmate bolted from the custody of the two correctional officers assigned to him.

The inmate ran a short distance into the emergency room and attempted to flea but his escape was blocked by the locked emergency room doors. The inmate then turned towards the officers and refused to obey their commands to stop. It was advised the inmate approached the correctional officers and was shot once while reaching for one of the correctional officer’s weapon.

The inmate suffered a single gunshot wound to his arm which also entered his torso and was treated by hospital personnel and later transferred to the Winchester Medical Center in Winchester Virginia.

Evidence was obtained and collected at the scene along with statements from all witnesses including the two correctional officers.

Martinsburg Police Detectives secured a felony warrant for escape from a correction facility for the inmate from State Magistrate Harry Snow. His extradition was approved pending his release from the hospital for his injuries from the Winchester Virginia Medical Center by Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Games Neely.

The Martinsburg Police were assisted in the investigation by members of the West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.

The felony warrant for escape was obtained for the following individual:

Donald Surber DOB 11 30 71 last address Eastern Regional Jail Martinsburg WV

Delivery of Imitation Substance

On Monday, June 15, 2009, the Martinsburg Police Department conducted two controlled purchases of narcotics utilizing a confidential informant. During the controlled purchases, two subjects were arrested. Jason Jamar Ross was arrested at the intersection of Race and Raleigh Streets and was charged with delivery of an imitation controlled substance and obstructing. During the second controlled purchase, Justin Ponton was arrested on Welch Street and was charged with conspiracy to deliver an imitation controlled substance. Both persons were processed at the Martinsburg Police Department and taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment.

Arrested:
Justin William Ponton
DOB: 01/23/84
409 W. Race St., Martinsburg WV
Conspiracy to deliver an imitation controlled substance

Jason Jamar Ross
DOB: 09/29/88
904 W. Burke St., Martinsburg WV
Delivery of an imitation controlled substance; Obstructing

Delivery of Controlled Substance

On Thursday, June 11, 2009, Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood, Det. S.F. Doyle and Pfc. W.A. Parks conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics utilizing a Confidential Informant.

The C.I. went to the 100 block of North High Street where he/she met with a black male in a white shirt. The unidentified black male got into the C.I.’s vehicle and went to another location. The black male gave crack cocaine to the C.I. in exchange for money. Martinsburg officers then went to the vehicle and located the black male in the passenger seat, where he was taken into custody without incident. The male was identified as Curtis Lane, AKA Curt-Curt, who is also on federal probation. A search of the passenger seat by Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood revealed the controlled currency next to the passenger seat.

The C.I. turned the crack cocaine into Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood. Once back at the Martinsburg Police Department the drugs tested positive for cocaine.

Curtis Lane was processed at the Martinsburg Police Department and then taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment.

Arrested:

Curtis Wayne Lane AKA: Curt-Curt

DOB: 11/16/64

700 W. Burke St., Apt. 5, Martinsburg WV 25401

Charge: Delivery of a controlled substance (crack cocaine)

Tires Cut

The Martinsburg Police Dept is investigating a rash of tire slashings that have occurred in various parts of town and more concentrated on the east side on 6/8 and 6/10. Approximately 28 tires have been cut and flattened. People should report seeing suspicious persons walking in their neighborhoods late at night to the Police Dept. The Martinsburg Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance for further information regarding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999 or the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100.