At 4:00 a.m. on October 8, 2020 Deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Bee Mountain Road near Hernshaw, WV. A cell-phone tower site break-in was in progress. When the first Deputy arrived he saw flashlights in the woods being carried away from the site, and an ATV parked nearby was packed with stolen property and tools. One of the removed items was a radio amplifier that helps first responders communicate with dispatchers and one another.
A K9 Team was called to the area and began a track from the tower site through the woods, ending along Lens Creek Road. A detective with our Property Crimes Unit was patrolling the road during the K9 track. He spotted Thomas Bowles (24 years old of Ashford, WV) near the end of the track walking on Lens Creek Road. Mr. Bowles matched description of one of the suspects provided by the security staff who monitored the breaking and entering on surveillance cameras.
Additional evidence and surveillance footage was gathered, and search warrants were obtained. Mr. Bowles was arrested that morning (October 8, 2020), charged with breaking and entering and destruction of utilities, both felonies.
As the investigation continued another suspect was identified as Christian Hunter McNeely (24 years old of Costa, WV). He was also charged with breaking and entering and destruction of utilities. He was arrested last night (October 13, 2020) on a traffic stop by Kanawha County Deputies.
The damage to tower sites like this one pose a grave risk to those relying on cell phone communication for medical, fire, and law enforcement emergencies. This site damage also interrupted radio communications for the first responders who would assist those in need in the area.
As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Bowles and Mr. Hunter are merely accusations. Each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attached are mugshots taken during their arrests.
