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.

Arson - Update

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Department disseminated a press release in regards to an arson investigation in Martinsburg and also disseminated two photographs of persons of interest. Since those photographs were published, both individuals have been identified and have spoken with authorities.

Both of the persons who were sought have provided statements, that have been corroborated. These individuals are no longer considered persons of interest.

The Martinsburg Police Department is continuing to actively conduct an investigation into the arsons and is seeking the community’s assistance. The Martinsburg Police Department would also like to thank the media for the prompt release of the photographs to assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding any of the arson investigations are urged to contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100 or Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999

Arson

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, the Martinsburg City Police and Martinsburg Fire Department responded to 431 South Raleigh Street, Martinsburg WV, a local business, in regards to a structure fire. Upon arrival, the business was found to be engulfed in flames, which was quickly extinguished by the Martinsburg Fire Department.

The fire was investigated by Lt. Hoover of the Martinsburg Fire Department and was determined to be arson, which was believed to have been started through the mail slot in the door.

Both the Martinsburg Police Department and Martinsburg Fire Department are actively investigating the arson and are looking into possible connections with other arsons in Martinsburg. Anyone with information regarding the arson are urged to contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100 or Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Martinsburg Police Department at www.martinsburgpd.org.

Shots fired in Waffle House

On Sunday, March 07, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Department responded to the Waffle House located at 1003 Foxcroft Ave. for a report of shots fired inside the establishment. Upon arriving at the scene, Officers spoke to the victim, employees and several patrons. It was learned that a black male got into an argument with the victim. It is believed that the suspect told the victim to take his jacket off. The victim told the suspect he was not getting his jacket and pulled out a knife. The suspect then pulled a gun and shot one round towards the victim. The victim was not hit and the bullet hit an interior wall of the business. Police have identified Gary Garfield Lane, Date of Birth 5-30-1977, as a person of interest in the case. Anyone with information should contact the Martinsburg Police Department at 304-264-2100 or Crime Solvers 304-267-4999.

Arson

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Ptlm. E. Gibbons of the Martinsburg Police Department responded to Servpro, at 717 West Virginia Avenue, Martinsburg WV in reference to an alarm. Initially Ptlm. Gibbons was dispatched to the business in regards to an office motion alarm but he soon located smoke and fire coming from the base of an exterior door.

At that point, the Martinsburg Fire Department was contacted to respond to the business. The MFD arrived and quickly extinguished the fire which caused damage to the door and immediate area. It was also determined that no one was present in the building during the time of the fire.

Video footage was also obtained from Servpro which showed an unknown person wearing a white sheet and having a light colored hat, coming to the door at approximately 2:57am and igniting a fire through the mail slot.

The cause of the fire was determined to be Arson and is being investigated by the Martinsburg Police Department and the Martinsburg Fire Department. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact either Det. S.F. Doyle or Det. Lt. G.B. Swartwood at 304-264-2100.

DOA Identified

On Tuesday, March 02, 2010, the Martinsburg Police Department was able to determine the identity of a man who was found dead in a warehouse in the 300 block of North Raleigh Street on Friday, February 26, 2010. The decedent was identified as Kenneth Eustace Simpson (DOB: 06/12/60), who formerly resided at 309 ½ East Burke Street, Martinsburg WV. Mr. Simpson was previously reported as a missing person to the Martinsburg Police Department on February 9, 2010.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is currently awaiting toxicology results and preliminary examinations have determined that there were no signs of foul play.