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.

Poss w/ the intent to Deliver Heroin

On Thursday, June 04, 2009, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant at 200 East King Street, Apartment #2, in reference to an ongoing narcotics investigation. The search warrant was issued by Berkeley County Magistrate Sandra Miller.

Forced entry was utilized at the residence and upon entering; officers located a female in the living room identified as Amber Rockwell and a male near a back bedroom, who was identified as Steven Orr Jr.

A search of the residence was conducted and approximately 23 packets of heroin were located in a back bedroom in a container. At that point, both Mr. Orr and Ms. Rockwell were placed under arrest for Possession with intent to deliver heroin.

Both subjects were processed at the Martinsburg Police Department and were taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment.

Arrested:

Steven Douglas Orr Jr.

DOB: 05/07/79

200 E. King St., Apt. 2, Martinsburg WV

Charge: Possession with intent to deliver heroin

Amber Dawn Rockwell

DOB: 03/25/84

312 Athletic St., Martinsburg WV 25401

Charge: Possession with intent to deliver heroin

Poss w/ the intent to Deliver Heroin

On Saturday, 05-30-09, Ptlm Harper and Ptlm Shelton of the Martinsburg Police Department received a tip from a citizen that a residence in town was currently selling illegal drugs.

Harper and Shelton located several of the residents of this location in the downtown area and spoke with them about the complaint. During their conversation the residents consented to a search of the location as long as the other residents who were currently at the house also consented.

Harper and Shelton traveled to the residence and spoke with the homeowner. The homeowner also granted consent to a search the residence. The homeowner stated that she was alone in the house. Upon going upstairs Harper and Shelton located a male subject asleep in one of the bedrooms. Harper and Shelton identified him as Shannon Barney 1/16/73. It was learned that Barney had an outstanding Martinsburg Municipal Court Capias and he was then taken into custody. Barney was searched and a small green container was located in one of his pockets. This container had approximately 3.4 grams of suspected heroin in it. The substance was field tested which revealed a positive result for heroin. Barney also had approximately $371.00 in cash in his pocket as well. Based on packaging of the suspected heroin, the large amount of cash located on his person, and other items located in close proximity to him, Barney was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin. Barney was remanded to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment at a later time.

Poss with the Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine

On May 29, 2009, Ptlm. J. Harper, Ptlm. M. Bettis and Ptlm. W. Staub of the Martinsburg City Police Department responded to 317 S. Maple Ave., Martinsburg for a domestic disturbance. During the investigation approximately 12 grams of suspected crack cocaine with an approximate street value of $1,200.00, approximately 5 grams of suspected marijuana with an approximate value of $25.00 and three prescription pills were seized.

A resident of 317 S. Maple Ave. was arrested for possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine and was transported to the Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg to await arraignment.

The suspect that was arrested is Brian James Grove, DOB: 11-17-89.