Burglary/Conspiracy Arrests

On Thursday, August 12, 2010, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department were on patrol in the area of Martinsburg Station sub division, located off of Delmar Orchard Road and saw two males dressed in black fleeing on foot.  Officers were on a pro active patrol after receiving reports of thefts to vehicles occurring earlier in the week.  As officers arrived to patrol, two males dressed in black were observed running on foot. 

Officers were soon able to locate a vehicle believed to belong to the suspects and were able to conduct surveillance.  A short time later, two occupants were seen entering the vehicle and leaving on Klee Drive.  Officers stopped the vehicle, a red Mustang and identified its occupants as Joseph Maness and Michael Reid.  Officers searched the vehicle and located GPS units, electronic equipment and other items.  These items were identified as belonging to vehicles and residences in the Martinsburg Station sub division that were stolen earlier on this date.  Both subjects were arrested and charged with Burglary, Conspiracy and various other charges through the Berkeley County Magistrate Court.

As a result of the arrests, information was learned that linked both of the two suspects and a third person to vehicle and residential thefts in Martinsburg Station that occurred on 08/10/10.  Additional criminal charges are pending.

The Martinsburg Police Department is currently attempting to identify several GPS units that are believed to be to be stolen on or around these dates and possibly from the Martinsburg Station sub division area.  If you have any information to assist with this investigation, please contact Det. S.F. Doyle at the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100.

Arrested:

Michael Thomas Reid                                                                      

DOB:  07/28/91                                                                                   

51 Reynard Rd, 

Kearneysville WV 25430

Joseph Brett Maness

DOB: 06/20/86 

39 Hunt Ridge Dr

Summit Point WV

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Threats of terrorist acts arrest

On Friday August 13^th 2010 Martinsburg Police arrested an individual on the felony charge of Threats of terrorist acts at 106 South Raleigh Street Martinsburg WV at approximately 1:00 PM.

This incident occurred on Friday July 23^rd 2010 at 106 South Raleigh Street. Police officers responded to the residence in reference to a disturbance along with EMT personnel from The Martinsburg Fire Dept. A suicidal threat had been made and a firearm taken from this subject, Matthew Ball.

It was also later learned that Mr. Ball had allegedly made statements to EMT personnel regarding future actions while being transported to Martinsburg City Hospital. He said that he had recently purchased a 9 MM handgun and also that he owned a hunting rifle. He said that he was feuding with his family and that the next time it happened he would take both firearms into his bedroom and would lock the door. Mr. Ball also stated that if the police were called, that he would shoot whoever came to the bedroom door to get him.

Since the issuance of this threat the Martinsburg Fire Dept. had changed policy in accordance with this threat and stated that EMT'S will not enter the residence without it first being cleared by the Martinsburg Police Department. It was advised that the threat was received as credible and legitimate to both the Martinsburg Fire Department and the Martinsburg Police Department and that both agencies are agencies of the Municipality of Martinsburg WV. 

Therefore based on the fact that Mr. Ball had previously been taken to City Hospital for suicidal threats, and has access to two firearms and by him stating he would shoot officers if they responded to his residence it was the belief of the police that Mr. Ball did make a terroristic threat  in violation of WV State Code.

A warrant was issued for his arrest by State Magistrate Joan Bragg on 8 13 10. He was taken into custody at his residence and was later arraigned by a State Magistrate.

Arrested: Mathew Edward Ball DOB 3/25/87 listing an address of 106 South Raleigh Street Martinsburg WV 

Robbery was a False Report

 On Friday July 16 2010 Officers responded to Wal-Mart on Foxcroft Ave for a robbery which had just occurred. Officers responded to the area minutes after the incident had allegedly occurred. All areas were checked and video surveillance was obtained.

The victim, Identified as Mr. William Arthur Leland (DOB 11/10/53), advised officers on scene that he had been sitting in his vehicle in the Wal Mart parking lot when a White male brandished a revolver in his face and demanded $800 cash. He advised he turned the money over to the male, who fled towards Sears.

The video was later reviewed and there was no evidence of a robbery taking place.

 Mr. Leland was interviewed at the Martinsburg Police Department on 7/26/10 during which time he confessed to calling in a false police report. He advised that the money, which was allegedly robbed from him, was in fact a combination of his and his physically handicapped sisters whom he takes care of. He advised that he had gambled the money, and lost, at a local gambling establishment.

Mr. Leland was arrested on this day. He was arraigned by Mag. R. Smith and given a PR bond of $2500.  He was charged with Falsely reporting an emergency incident. 

Arrests

 As of yesterday’s date Clifford Lee Hutchinson (DOB 7/27/64), has been extradited back to the Martinsburg ERJ. Mr. Hutchinson was wanted for two burglary charges stemming from burglaries, in which he is the defendant, from December 2009 in Martinsburg WV

 Mr. Hutchinson was arraigned by Mag. Snow for two felony burglary charges, from the Martinsburg Police Dept, He was also arraigned on one felony escape charge,  through the Berkeley County Sheriffs Dept.

Mr. Hutchinson has been wanted since December 2009. He had fled to western states and was eventually arrested.

Today  Mr. Hutchinson was served with another arrest warrant for Felony Transferring Stolen Goods. This charge also stems from the burglary incidents. He has been served on this day and awaits arraignment by Magistrate J. Overington. He is currently incarcerated in the ERJ. 

Escapee Found

On Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 10:02pm, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department responded to the Vicki Douglas Juvenile Detention Center in reference to a missing juvenile.  Upon arrival, it was advised that at approximately 8pm, a 17 year old juvenile male who was being detained at the facility, was determined to be missing.  A subsequent search around the exterior of facility resulted in clothing from the juvenile being located near a dumpster and a nearby wood line. 

Officers then began looking for the juvenile and located him at approximately 2:09am in a wooded area near Rolling Meadow Drive.  The juvenile was then taken back to the Vicki Douglas Detention Center.   

Arson

On Tuesday, July 06, 2010, at approximately 3:20am, members from the Martinsburg Police and Martinsburg Fire Department responded to a commercial property located in the 600 block of North Queen Street, Martinsburg WV, in reference to a structure fire.  Upon arrival, officers were able to observe a shed structure which was engulfed with flames on the property.  Firefighters from the Martinsburg Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, which was determined to be arson.

The Martinsburg Police Department is currently investigating the fire and is asking anyone with information to contact Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood of the Martinsburg Police Department.  The Martinsburg Police Department is also seeking information regarding to recent graffiti to the commercial property, that may be related to this incident.    Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood at 304-264-2100. 

Fugitive from Justice Arrest

On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Department arrested a female identified as Lauren Elbin as a Fugitive from Justice.  The charged stemmed from an incident in 2004 in Hagerstown Maryland in which she was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.  Ms. Elbin was arrested at her residence without incident and was arraigned before Magistrate Sandra Miller.  Ms. Elbin was given a 10,000 cash only bond and was taken to the Eastern Regional Jail.

 Arrested:

Lauren Brooke Elbin

DOB:  12/10/82

108 E. John St., Martinsburg WV 25401

Charge:  Fugitive from Justice