The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

October 23, 2012

Three arrested in connection with burglaries

By Sarah Plummer Register-Herald Reporter

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department has arrested three in connection to burglary rings in both Glade Springs and around Lake Stephens.

After being a person of interest in the Glade Springs burglaries since Oct. 10, Kristopher Coburn, 36, of Cool Ridge, was arrested Friday on the felony charge of transfer of stolen property from an Oct. 1 burglary on Sullivan Road, reported Raleigh County Sheriff Steve Tanner.

Tanner said Coburn is suspected to be involved in multiple burglaries in Raleigh, Fayette and Mercer counties.

He also said Coburn is believed to be more deeply involved in the burglaries than the charges reflect, but the cases are still under investigation and more charges are anticipated.

Police suspect as many as seven people are involved in the Glade Springs, Daniels and Shady Spring burglaries in which houses have been entered through a back door during the daytime and in which only gold and silver jewelry have been stolen.

While other burglaries have occurred in the county, Tanner said, burglaries with this specific M.O. have stopped since two Raleigh County women and a Crab Orchard man were arrested earlier this month.

Susan Renee Davis, 32, and Amy Dickens, 23, were both arrested for allegedly fencing stolen items and their interviews led to Coburn.

Joshua Graham, 27, was arrested in connection with the burglary operation in the Oak Hill area.

These three suspects were arrested during the week of Oct. 8.

Tanner said stolen property has mostly been sold in Raleigh County and deputies have recovered property for owners in Mercer, Fayette, and Raleigh counties.

Tanner said victims of robberies in which just jewelry has been stolen should contact the investigating agency, not the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office. Each agency will contact the sheriff’s office to identity stolen goods.

Cpl. Jamie Williams has been the lead investigator on these burglaries and has logged “hundreds of hours to put a stop to this crime wave,” said the sheriff.

Coburn has been remanded to Southern Regional Jail.

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The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Dennis Lilly, 28, of Eccles, Friday for allegedly breaking into 29 mobile homes and camper trailers around Lake Stephens earlier last week.

He is charged with 29 counts of burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime.

A security officer from Lake Stephens called the sheriff’s office to report that a suspicious male had run into the woods with a large bag.

Deputy B. J. Adkins arrived on the scene and began to search for a get-away vehicle.

Adkins located a suspicious vehicle and interviewed its occupant, 22-year-old Heather Shrader.

Adkins ran a criminal history and discovered Shrader had an extensive criminal history.

Police were able to connect Lilly to the crimes and arrest him on Friday.

Both Lilly and Shrader are being held in Southern Regional Jail. However it was unclear Monday evening what charges have been brought against Shrader. On the SRJ site, she is listed as a pre-trial felon under $10,000 bond.

“Adkins did such an amazing job on this case that most of the burglar’s victims were unaware they had been burgled. He was able to recover much of the property before owners know it was missing,” Tanner praised.

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

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