On Sunday, February 8, 2015 Corporal J. M. Vernon of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office met the owner of a stolen camper. The camper had been stolen from a campground in Jackson County, and earlier Sunday the owner was told a camper similar to his was seen parked along Smith Creek Road outside of South Charleston, WV. The owner showed Cpl. Vernon the trailer that looked like the stolen camper.
Corporal Vernon and Deputy Cumberledge inspected the camper. After confirming it was the stolen camper from Jackson County they searched the premises and found no one. Extension cords from a nearby garage were powering the camper, and it was evident someone had been living inside.
Corporal Vernon and others spent hours watching the camper throughout the night until they saw signs someone was back inside. Deputy Dickerson and his canine partner Brix responded to assist. The camper was surrounded, then the door was approached. Inside were four people who came out when so told.
One male and one female were visitors. The other male and female had been living in the camper. Brian J. Wilson (37 of Nitro, WV) and Ashley Lynn Keiffer (30 of Poca, WV) were living in the camper. Their belongings were found inside. Deputy J. Smith responded to assist with the crime scene documentation while the others continued other tasks of the investigation and arrests.
Mr. Wilson already had two warrants in Putnam County for robbery and night time burglary (Putnam County Magistrate Court Case Numbers 15F-27 and 15F-28). He and Ms. Keiffer were arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. The grand larceny investigation in Jackson County is on-going.
Anyone with additional information about these crimes is asked to call the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office at 304-357-0169 or submit a tip on our website at www.kanawhasheriff.us. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office can also be reached at 304-373-2290.
The charges against Mr. Wilson and Ms. Keiffer are merely accusations. Each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attached are their mug shots from the arrest Sunday night.
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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
