During the last eight months the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating a series of crimes mostly in the Elkview and Pinch areas. Six were in Kanawha City near CAMC Memorial Hospital. Most occurred between September and November 2015. Detectives were able to link four burglaries and 39 breaking and entering crimes, and they have made a series of arrests in these incidents.
As the investigation progressed several people were implicated, and stolen property was recovered. Almost all of the property has been returned to the rightful owners. Here’s a list of the property stolen and recovered:
27 power tools
14 chainsaws
12 lawn mowers
11 hand tools
8 firearms
7 generators
6 leaf blowers
2 garden tillers
2 pressure washers
2 electronic devices
2 miscellaneous items
Together they were valued at $30,465.
The criminals in these cases were using the cover of night to break into out-buildings and garages. The stolen items were recovered from pawn shops, suspect residences, and a drug dealer’s residence.
Clifford “Sammy” Webb, Jr. (26 years old of Elkview) was arrested and has since pled guilty to four counts of breaking and entering and a drug charge.
Randy Scott Sanders (22 years old of Charleston) was arrested and pled guilty to four counts of breaking and entering.
Misty Marie Fairchild (19 years old of Charleston) was arrested May 3, 2016, charged with misdemeanor transferring and receiving stolen property.
Elizabeth A. Thompson (26 years old of Elkview) was arrested May 3, 2016, charged with felony transferring and receiving stolen property.
As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mrs. Fairchild and Mrs. Thompson are merely accusations. Each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attached are mug shots for the four arrested.
