Arson Arrest

On July 8th , 2008 at 9:40 AM Martinsburg Police Detectives Det. Lt. GB Swartwood and Det. Cpl S Doyle arrested a person while he was at a local area hotel after a warrant was secured by police for his arrest for 1st Degree Arson.

The defendant was arrested without incident and brought to the Martinsburg Police Department
for processing and later arraigned by Magistrate Joann Overington. His bond was set at $50,000 cash only and he was then taken to the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of bond.

This warrant was issued after an investigation performed by the Martinsburg Police Department in cooperation with Chief Fire Investigator Gregory Hoover of the Martinsburg Fire Department. It is alleged that the defendant did commit 1st degree arson by setting fire to his residence of 703 South Raleigh Street Martinsburg WV on July 1st 2008.

It is alleged in the warrant that the fire investigator determined that the fire was incendiary in nature and had two separate points of origin. It was also alleged that several juvenile aged children and the defendant’s wife were at home at the residence at the time of the fire.

No physical injuries were sustained by the occupants of the residence.

Arrested: Darren Eugene Butler DOB 7 2 70 formerly of 703 South Raleigh Street Martinsburg WV

Drug Arrest

On July 6th , 2008 at 12:42 AM Martinsburg Police officers Derek English and
Ptlm. Scott Shelton were in the area of the Mix It Up Club located in the 300 block of Wilson Street when they saw a person urinating in public outside of the Mix It Up Club.

As they approached him they saw he had an open container of alcohol with him. Ptlm. English noticed that he had the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath when speaking to him. He was placed under arrest for having an open container of alcohol and for public intoxication.

He was arrested and patted down for weapons when one of the officers removed a large bundle of currency from his pocket and a cigarette pack. At that time the defendant grabbed the cigarette pack and the money and told the officers they could not pat him down.

The defendant continued to struggle with the officers and was subdued and then stopped resisting and was handcuffed and placed in the back of the police vehicle. Once on station a large amount of controlled substances was located upon the defendant.

Approximately 7.7 grams of Crack cocaine, 18.3 grams of Cocaine powder, and 10 Ecstasy pills were found Some of the items were individual packaged as they would be for sale. The defendant also had $4,102 in currency. All of the above items were seized as evidence.

The defendant was charged with: Possession With Intent To Deliver Crack Cocaine, Possession With Intent To Deliver Cocaine powder, and Possession With Intent To Deliver Ecstasy pills. He was processed and taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment later in the morning.

Arrested: Christopher Darnell Alexander DOB 6 8 81 and listing an address of 1000J Heather Ridge Drive Apt. 113 Frederick Maryland.

Drug Arrest

On Wednesday, July 2, 2008, members of the Martinsburg Police Department stopped a vehicle in the 300 block of North Queen Street for a traffic infraction. Upon speaking with the occupants, consent to search was given and conducted. Located between the driver and passenger seats was a small bag of marijuana. Both occupants were issued citations for Possession of Marijuana. Cited were:

Rachel Savelli
DOB: 03/22/84
6824 Hedgesville Rd., Hedgesville WV

Jameson Tannon
DOB: 07/15/85
257 North Queen St., Martinsburg WV

Drug Arrest

On June 27th 2008 at 7: 50 PM Martinsburg Police officer Derek English encountered an individual in the area of the 300 block of Raleigh Street who was acting in a suspicious manner by continually walking up and down the same area of the street. This individual was also known to the officer to have been previously involved in drug trafficking offenses.

During his initial contact with this subject and investigation the subject was reportedly acting in a nervous manner and was attempting to stuff something down the back of his pants when approached by Ptlm. English. During the investigation the suspect refused to obey commands after he gave Ptlm. English consent to perform a pat down search of his person. After failing to keep his hands on the police vehicle he was arrested for obstructing an officer and brought to the Martinsburg Police Department.

Located after the arrest was 3.5 grams of crack cocaine on the suspect along with $85.00 in currency.

The suspect was then arrested on the charge of Possession With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance (Crack cocaine). He was processed at the Martinsburg Police Department.

He was later transported to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a State Magistrate later in the evening.

Arrested: Christian Kanzler DOB 10 23 83 and listing an address of 6485 Tuscarora Pike
Martinsburg WV.

Drug Arrest

On June 26th 2008 at 5: 51 PM Martinsburg Police Officer Derek English saw an individual in the area of the 100 block of North Spring Street who was being approached by several persons known to the officer to be involved in the illegal use of controlled substances. This person was also known to the officer from a past recent arrest for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (crack cocaine).

During his initial contact with this person and investigation the person was acting in a nervous manner but consented to a pat down of his person by Ptlm. English. This pat down led to the discovery of Marijuana sticking out of the persons shoe.

The suspect was the placed under arrest for Possession of Marijuana and taken to the Martinsburg Police Department. Once at the station a baggie of Crack Cocaine weighing approximately 5.7 grams was located on him and $112.00 in currency. The suspect was then charged with Possession With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance (crack cocaine).

He was later taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a State Magistrate later in the evening.

Arrested: Dorian Marcell Wilson DOB 11 16 87 and listing an address of 401 East Road Martinsburg WV.

Theft

The Martinsburg City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating two large decorative art palettes that were stolen between June 8th and June 12th. Both palettes were stolen from the area of the intersection of Martin and Queen Streets. Other art palettes are currently on display throughout the downtown area of Martinsburg as part of the Main Street Martinsburg project.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts or the persons who took the palettes are urged to contact the Martinsburg City Police at 304-264-2100 or the Berkeley County Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999.

Drug Arrest - Marijuana Growing

On June 24, 2008 Officers D. L. English and Cpl. J. E. Darby responded to the 100 block of South High Street to investigate a complaint of an individual growing marijuana. The Officers walked along the back of the 100 block of South High Street and located a residence that matched the description given of the location. The Officers observed marijuana plants in plain view in the back yard of the residence at 126 South High Street.


A male individual, subsequently identified as Lance Wade Cole, Jr., 37, of the aforementioned address, saw the Officers and began to collect the plants and take them inside the residence. The Officers approached Cole and informed him of the nature of the investigation. Cole at first denied the allegation, but granted the Officers consent to enter the residence to seize the marijuana. Nine marijuana plants were seized from the basement. An additional nine plants were seized from the back yard. Cole advised he was growing the plants for personal use. He additionally stated he was tired of paying so much to buy marijuana.


Cole was arrested and incarcerated in the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a Berkeley County Magistrate on the felony charge of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance.