BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) made an arrest in the burglary of the West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) office located on U.S. 119 at Millers Creek.

James Robinson, 51, of the Lake area in Boone County, was arrested by West Virginia State (WVSP) Police Trooper Holden with assistance from Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. E. Williams on a grand larceny warrant. This warrant is in relation to the Aug. 14 theft from the DOH garage.

According to Cpl. Williams, two more warrants for conspiracy, breaking and entering – other than a dwelling, and grand larceny were issued Aug. 16. Two more men were expected to be arrested in Boone County with the assistance of the WVSP.

“We appreciate the assistance we received in this case from the WVSP and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. We also appreciate Cpl. Williams’ hard work on this case. He’s worked it nonstop for the past two days,” said MCSD Sheriff Joe Smith.

The MCSD used Facebook to post video surveillance photos and post this message Aug. 14:

“We’re asking the public for help in locating the individuals responsible for stealing the following items at the state road garage at Millers Creek at approximately 3:10 a.m…”

The thieves stole several valuable items from the garage. Those included a 2019 F-250 crew cab truck with DOH stickers, a Cub Cadet zero-turn 48-inch mower, a John Deere zero-turn 54-inch mower, various tools, including Stihl weed eaters, Stihl chain saws and a haul trailer.

Police recovered the trailer, both zero-turn mowers and several tools Aug. 16 in the Lake area of Boone County. Some tools have not yet been located.

Cpl. E. Williams and Cpl. M. Mounts are investigating the larceny.

The phone number at the MCSD is 304-235-0300 if anyone has any further information.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.