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4 arrested for McDowell County copper theft

WAR, W.Va. — Four McDowell County suspects face a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly stealing 1,500 feet of copper from a telephone company Memorial Day weekend.

McDowell County 911 was alerted May 24 at around 8:15 p.m. from a Yukon resident who reported four individuals were cutting telephone lines from OTT Communications in War.

The four suspects arrested include Sabrina Lucille Hunley, 24, and John Pete Wagoner, 35, both of Bartley, Chasity Noel Cassady, 36, of War and Estil Lee Lester, 27, of Welch.

West Virginia State Police Trooper R.J. Justus, of the Welch Detachment, said he observed a vehicle at the Hillbilly Market in English. He said Wagoner fled from him on foot, but he was eventually about to catch him shortly after. Justus also apprehended Hunley and Cassady, where he learned where the copper line came from.

Senior Trooper B.D. Gillespie, also of Welch, used the information from the suspects to find out where the wire was located. Gillespie found Lester, who fled from him as well, but caught him soon after.

According to state police, the wire was wrapped with some clothing and appeared the suspects were preparing to burn it to remove the insulation.

Hunley is charged with destruction of property, grand larceny, conspiracy (all felonies) and disruption of communications services. Cassady faces charges of grand larceny and conspiracy, both felonies. Lester and Wagoner are both charged with one count each of destruction of property, grand larceny and conspiracy.





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