Arrests made on Multiple Cases

On May 11th 2010 at 9:45 pm members of the Martinsburg Police Department and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force arrested an individual wanted on numerous felony and misdemeanor warrants which were obtained from the Martinsburg Police Department, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Det Lt George B Swartwood, Ptlm. Eric Neely (MPD) and Det Sgt Kevin Miller (EPDVCTF) arrested Joshua Daniel Stevens at a North Queen Street convenience store parking lot.



The initial investigation to locate the suspect was for his alleged involvement in an arson to a residence off of Central Avenue and the destruction of property and theft to a Martinsburg Police vehicle on April 23rd - 24th 2010.

The arrest came after information was gained advising that the suspect would be hiding in the back of a pickup truck on its way to the convenience store on North Queen Street.

The officers staked out the area and observed said vehicle and located the suspect in the back of the pickup truck. The suspect was arrested and processed at the Martinsburg Police Department and later taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a State Magistrate. He was later arraigned by Magistrate Overington and his bond was set at $115,000 cash only. He is currently still incarcerated at the ERJ.

The Martinsburg Police Department would like to thank the community for all of its assistance into this investigation and still seeks any information in regards to this or any arson investigations.
Arrested: Joshua Daniel Stevens DOB 5 30 79 and listing an address of 76 Ritter Drive Martinsburg WV was arrested on the following 12 charges.

Arson 1st degree
Burglary
Grand Larceny
Destruction of Property
Petit Larceny
Malicious Wounding
Armed Robbery
Petit Larceny
Breaking and Entering
Breaking and Entering of an Auto
Domestic Battery
Domestic Battery

Arrests in Concert Scam

On this day both Mr. Sherman L. Loy and Mr. Dean R. Desana were arrested by this agency. Both subjects have been charged with a felony charge of obtaining money by False Pretenses.

The defendants each cooperated by turning themselves in, at separate times, to the Martinsburg Police Department. Both subjects were processed and brought to the Berkeley County Magistrate courthouse, where they were arraigned by Magistrate J. Overington. Both subjects were released on bond, each posted by a bonding agency.

These arrests are from an ongoing investigation involving the above individuals and the alleged concert which was to take place on April 24, 2010 and to feature both celebrities Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert. The event, however, did not take place and no tickets were ever distributed.

It was found, through investigation that from March 16 – 18, individuals traveled to the Hair salon, “Hair by Luke”, and paid money for tickets which were supposed to arrive in the mail for the concert.

The investigation is continuing.

Juvenile with Handgun Arrested

On Thursday, May 06, 2010, the administration at South Middle School contacted the Martinsburg Police Department in regards to information they had received regarding a 14 year old student. The information that was received, alleged that the 14 year old juvenile had shown a handgun at a residence on the previous date and had made statements regarding brining it to school to resolve matters with students who were picking on him. Upon hearing the information, the administration contacted the Martinsburg City Police and then removed the student from class. A search was then conducted of the student’s personal effects and no firearms were located.

Officers from the Martinsburg Police Department then responded to the juvenile’s residence and conducted a search, which yielded a .22 caliber handgun and ammunition under his bedroom mattress.

As a result of the firearm being located, the juvenile was charged with being a Minor in Possession of a Deadly Weapon and was subsequently detained at the Vickie Douglas Center, per the request of the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office.

Due to the immediate response by both the administration at South Middle School and the Martinsburg Police Department, a potential dangerous situation was resolved.

Warrants Obtained for Multiple Crimes - Public Assistance needed

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Department obtained arrest warrants for Joshua Stevens for the offenses of 1st Degree Arson, Burglary, Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny and Destruction of Property.

The charges stem from several incidents that occurred in Martinsburg on the evening of Friday, April 24, 2010 through the morning of Saturday, April 25, 2010. During the time frame, it is alleged that Stevens broke into a Martinsburg Police Department cruiser that was parked in the area of Moler Avenue and took multiple personal belongings from the vehicle. After breaking into the vehicle, it is alleged that Mr. Stevens broke into a residence located at 910 North Central Avenue, Martinsburg WV. While in the residence, Stevens broke multiple items inside and started a fire in a dryer that caused damage. Following the fire, Stevens stole a Ford Explorer that was parked nearby. Later on this date, the vehicle listed was found completely burnt in Berkeley County.

The Martinsburg Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in locating Joshua Stevens. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100 or Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999.

The Martinsburg Police Department would also like to thank the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department and Trooper Bowman, Trooper North and the West Virginia State Police for their assistance with this investigation.

Suspect:

Joshua Daniel Stevens
DOB: 05/30/79

Two arrested for Paintball Attack

On Sunday, April 18, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Dept responded to Company 1 Martinsburg Fire Dept on Raleigh St for a Destruction of Property. Unknown subjects shot the building with three pink paintballs. While investigating the call on Raleigh St. another call was received for paintballs being shot at 516 Winchester Ave. One of the paintballs struck a person in the mouth. Ptlm. L.D. Ruffner saw a vehicle drive by 516 Winchester Ave with paintball marks on it. Ptlm. S.A. Shelton was able to stop the vehicle after it traveled several blocks before stopping off Mall Drive in the Martinsburg Plaza parking lot. Paintball guns and pink paintballs were located in the vehicle.

The front passenger admitted to shooting various buildings along Winchester Ave, King Street and Raleigh St. Further investigation revealed that at least 11 different buildings and 1 vehicle were defaced by the paintballs.

The front passenger, Kyle Ripka (9-22-1991) of 1604 Nestle Quarry Road Falling Waters, was arrested on 12 counts of Destruction of Property, 1 count of Disturbing the Peace and 1 count of battery.

The driver, Danielle Tinsman (09-02-1989) of 146 Grandview Court Falling Waters, was charged with 1 count of Disturbing the Peace and Fail to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle.

Shooting Investigation continues

Martinsburg Police are continuing the investigation into the shooting incident which occurred on the evening of April 8th, 2010 at approximately 9:10 PM at 662 Faulkner Ave. Apartment B Martinsburg WV.

That evening investigators interviewed several individuals two of which advised they were eye witnesses to the incident involving the decedent, an 11 year old male who suffered from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Statements were taken from these individuals advising that they observed the decedent holding the gun to his head and that they were yelling at him to put the gun down. They were attempting to intercede when the decedent discharged the gun, shooting himself in the head.

The owner of the residence was also interviewed by police and the owner of the firearm was located that evening and provided a statement in regards to how he came into possession of the firearm and how it came to be in that residence.

The decedent was taken to Morgantown West Virginia where Doctor Matrina Schmidt, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, performed the autopsy. The Martinsburg Police Department received a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate of Death.

In this document it lists the immediate cause of death as, contact gunshot wound to the head. It advises as how the injury occurred as, shot self in head with an automatic pistol. The document lists the manner of death as suicide.

Martinsburg police are continuing in their investigation into this incident at this time and would like to thank members of the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and members of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for their cooperation.

The Martinsburg Police department would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the decedent for their tragic loss.

Arson

On Monday, March 22, 2010 at 0321 hours, Cpl. M.M. Usack of the Martinsburg Police Department observed flames coming from a warehouse, Old Kilbourne Mill, located in the 600 block of West John Street behind NAPA Auto Parts. The Martinsburg Fire Department responded and began working to contain the fire. The Martinsburg Fire Department was assisted by other local fire departments. The fire was contained to one building. It is believed that there were at least four separate points of origin for the fire. The fire is being investigated by the Martinsburg Police Dept and Lt. Greg Hoover of the Martinsburg Fire Dept. Arson is suspected and anyone with information is urged to contact the Martinsburg Police, Martinsburg Fire or Crime Solvers. Currently there is a reward being offere, through Berkeley County Crime Solvers and the Martinsburg Police Department, for up to $1,000 for an arrest and conviction.