The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 23, 2009

Woman, teen charged in burglaries

Amelia A. Pridemore

A 37-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy are charged with numerous crimes after Sophia police say they burglarized three apartments using a stolen master key for the entire complex.

Patricia Ann Lambert, 37, of 150 Maple St., Apt. 303, Sophia, is charged with three counts of entering without breaking, one count of grand larceny and two counts of petit larceny, Sgt. Mark Larkin said. Lambert was arrested Wednesday and was being held at Southern Regional Jail pending arraignment.

The 16-year-old boy from Sophia will be charged with two counts of entering without breaking and two counts of petit larceny, Larkin said. Police are obtaining juvenile petitions for the boy, who is in his father’s custody.

The charges against the two stem from three burglaries at Appletree Apartments in Sophia, Larkin said. Both suspects have addresses listed there. The crimes reportedly took place between July and September.

In July, the juvenile suspect was eating at a lunch program in the apartments’ main office, Larkin said. While there, he unlocked a window.

Later, he entered the building through the window and stole a master key for all apartments. Lambert was aware of what the juvenile had done.

Then the two entered three apartments with the master key and burglarized them, Larkin said. Stolen items included jewelry, digital cameras, cash, cell phones, clothing and perfume. One victim later saw the juvenile suspect riding a skateboard stolen from him.

The stolen property was worth an estimated $6,400, Larkin said. From just one apartment, $5,600 in items were stolen.

Larkin said police received several tips, but on Sept. 15, they learned Lambert was reportedly trying to pawn stolen items at D&J;’s Pawn Shop in Crab Orchard. Chief Tim Sweeney and Patrolman Derek Snuffer went to the store and found Lambert with several pawn tickets.

Both Lambert and the juvenile confessed to the crimes, Larkin said. Lambert told police she had been taking Xanax and other prescription drugs.

Two burglaries were allegedly committed at night, with the suspects entering apartments while victims were sleeping, Larkin said. Several items, like the jewelry, have been recovered.

Lambert, the juvenile and others could face more charges, Larkin said. Reportedly, others pawned stolen items for Lambert.

Police are conferring with prosecutors in the ongoing investigation.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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