On December 4, 2014 at approximately 10:00 a.m. two warrants were issued charging Deborah R. Davis (63 years old of Cross Lanes, WV) with one felony count of attempted burglary and one misdemeanor count of petit larceny. These charges stem from an incident in Cross Lanes reported to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office on November 30, 2014.
Mrs. Davis was seen on a homeowner’s surveillance camera footage taking packages and a Christmas wreath from the front porch, and trying to open doors on the front and rear of the house on November 29, 2014, while the residents were not home.
After the video was distributed on social media websites by the homeowner, tips were received by members of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Mrs. Davis’ name was repeatedly given by anonymous tipsters. Many tips also came to the Sheriff’s Office through local media outlets that helped spread the story and video.
On December 2, 2014 Mrs. Davis approached an off-duty KCSO Deputy and admitted she was the person who took the packages, but said there was more to the story.
On December 3, 2014 the Mrs. Davis agreed to meet with investigators at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. She returned the stolen property. She again admitted she was the person on video. She first said the incident was supposed to a prank but she went to the wrong house. She also said another female was with her, gave her the idea, but identified the wrong house. That female allegedly took the packages to her own residence where they were opened.
Later in the interview Mrs. Davis admitted her earlier explanation was a lie. After another admittedly false story she said she had been drinking alcoholic beverages, then had a fight with her family at her residence in Cross Lanes. When one of her family members left the house to stay with a friend the defendant was upset. The defendant said she wanted to find that family member, and believed she would find the family member in the neighborhood where the theft victim also lives. While in that neighborhood she saw the packages and decided to steal them.
About the time the warrant was being issued Mrs. Davis was notified of the charges. She agreed to come to the Kanawha County Courthouse to answer the charges. She was fingerprinted and photographed, then taken before a magistrate. At her arraignment in Kanawha County Magistrate Court Mrs. Davis’ bond was set at $25,000.00 property or $2,500 cash. Her bond was not immediately posted and she was taken to South Central Regional Jail.
Attached is a mug shot of Mrs. Davis taken during her arrest. As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mrs. Davis are merely accusations. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Corporal B. D. Humphreys
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
301 Virginia Street East,
Charleston WV 25301
desk: 304-357-0732 / cell: 304-951-7328
Follow us on Twitter: @kanawhasheriff
