BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A woman went to jail last week after investigators say she was caught on video cutting locks off storage units in Inez and stealing more than $1,000 worth of property.

Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jameson Wall served a warrant on Rose Ellen Johnson, 54, of Inez, at her residence around 4:30 p.m. March 10.

Johnson is facing charges of third-degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking or disposition of property valued at $1,000 to $10,000, possession of burglary tools and second-degree criminal mischief.

According to police, Johnson used bolt cutters to remove locks on several storage units, then removed items from inside Feb. 25 and Feb. 26. She allegedly took a teal-colored gown valued at more than $1,000. The arrest report says she also took a jewelry box, a flat-screen television and various other items.

The warrant states that investigators reviewed video footage allegedly showing Johnson committing the thefts.

This was not Johnson’s first encounter with law enforcement. She went to jail in September 2025 on a charge of theft of mail matter. Police alleged Johnson stole packages from a UPS drop box in Inez on two separate occasions. In that case, police also reported reviewing surveillance footage.