On December 13, 2015 Corporal J. M. Vernon and T. J. Cumberledge were dispatched to a Whispering Way near Saint Albans, WV. Reports were made that a man was outside with a gun and was suicidal.
When they got to the area they found a man matching the description with a loaded pistol on his side. He was detained. Officers with the Saint Albans Police Department detained several others as a precaution during the initial confusion involving a suicidal man with a gun.
One of those detained, Michael Ward (32 years old of Saint Albans) attempted to discard prescription pill bottles beneath a police cruiser. Inside the pill bottles were 14 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 2 grams marijuana, 4 kolonipin pills, and 3 roxycodone pills. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substances.
The allegedly suicidal male, Michael Zabrieszack, Jr. (31 of Saint Albans), was also arrested and charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. During a subsequent search of Mr. Zabrieszack’s residence a host of stolen property was located. Additional charges will likely stem from that find. Among the recovered items were a jet ski, an air compressor, power tools, a generator, and firearms.
The charges against Mr. Ward and Mr. Zabrieszack are merely accusations. Each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sgt. B. D. Humphreys