BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOVELY — A Martin County man wanted on felony warrants out of Mingo County, W.Va., was taken into custody early Sunday in Lovely after managing to elude capture for several weeks. His female accomplice was captured Monday evening on Route 3 in Inez.
Jason Fields, 37, of Lovely, and Ruby Chaffins, 37, of Tomahawk, are accused Aug. 2 of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle belonging to Christian Help/ABLE Families in Kermit.
Cpl. B. Williams of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department investigated the theft and estimated the cost of repairs to the damaged vehicle to be over $7,000.
After posting on social media and asking for the public’s help in identifying the individuals captured on video surveillance, Williams received numerous tips providing both Fields’ and Chaffins’ names.
Williams acquired felony warrants against the duo on charges of conspiracy, grand larceny, and destruction of property. Since both suspects are Martin County residents, the officer alerted the Martin County Sheriff’s Department to be on the lookout.
On Aug. 16, Fields was the victim of a shooting at the Riverfront Road in Lovely. After being released from an area hospital, Fields managed to elude numerous close calls over the next few days as police knocked on doors and searched homes.
Fields narrowly escaped capture on Riverfront Road Saturday evening by jumping into the Tug River and swimming downstream away from the officers. Following a swift water search by Kermit Volunteer Fire Department, police found Fields inside his ex-wife’s residence on Riverfront Road and took him into custody without incident.
Chaffins enjoyed her freedom a little longer than Fields and was arrested Monday evening at her home in Inez. During her arrest, police found Chaffins had a 9 mm handgun with an altered serial number. In addition to the fugitive from another state warrant, she was charged with one count of possessing a defaced firearm.
Fields and Chaffins are held without bond at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.
Cpl. Williams is grateful for the commitment from Kirk and his deputies to locate and arrest the two fugitives and said it’s a relief to know they are no longer free and behind bars.
“Stealing is a serious crime no matter what the circumstances,” remarked Williams. “When someone stoops to committing a crime against an organization that has but one goal — that being to help those who may need assistance with utility bills, clothing, household items, and transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, in my opinion, has reached a new low. It’s sad when those who try the hardest to help others, and ask for nothing in return, find themselves the victims of a crime.”