The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

November 22, 2009

Sheriff: Fifteen guns, compound bow stolen

By Amelia A. Pridemore

Fayette County authorities say 15 guns and a compound bow worth a combined $10,000 were stolen in a residential burglary, and three Minden residents are now charged with various crimes.

Sidney Guy Owens, 31, of Minden, is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, receiving and transferring stolen property and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to a release from Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler. Owens has previous armed robbery and burglary convictions, Kessler said. Owens is being held in Southern Regional Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond.

Ruth Ann Owens, 31, of Minden, is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and receiving and transferring stolen property, Kessler said. Ruth Owens has been released from Southern Regional Jail on $10,000 bond.

Michael Vincent Sicilia Jr., 27, a former New Jersey resident now living in Minden, is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, daytime burglary and grand larceny, Kessler said. Sicilia is being held in Southern Regional Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond.

At 1:34 p.m. last Friday, a residential burglary on Summerlee Road in Oak Hill was reported, Kessler said. The burglary was believed to have occurred that morning. The preliminary investigation indicates the person responsible had apparently kicked open a front door to enter. Fifteen guns and a compound bow worth an estimated $10,000, combined, were reported stolen.

Deputies received information last Saturday that someone had purchased several guns the previous evening, Kessler said. They followed up and identified and recovered 11 of the stolen guns.

Later, deputies and troopers from the State Police’s Oak Hill detachment set up a meeting with suspects to purchase the other stolen guns, Kessler said. An undercover trooper verified the suspects had brought the guns to the meeting and then deputies and troopers moved in and arrested the suspects, Kessler said. Sidney and Ruth Owens were arrested at the scene, Kessler added.

Deputies and troopers were later able to identify and arrest a third person allegedly involved, Kessler said. Sicilia was arrested at his residence.

Kessler said this investigation is an “excellent” example of the Fayette deputies’ and state troopers’ strong working relationship.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other criminal activity is encouraged to call the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department at 304-574-4216 or submit online tips at www.fayettesheriffwv.net.

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

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