Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Charleston detectives hope to get handle on “swarm of thieves”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Chief of Detectives Lt. Steve Cooper says the Capital City has what he describes as a “swarm of thieves.”

Charleston Chief of Detectives Lt. Steve Cooper says the Capital City currently has a “swarm of thieves.”

“They are scouting. They are trying car doors. They are going through neighborhoods at night,” Cooper said. “We have extra patrols out looking for them and we arrest them.”

But Cooper said as soon as one person is taken into custody someone else is breaking into vehicles or homes.

Cooper is urging residents to take nothing for chance even if the street they live on has never had this kind of problem.

“Take your valuables inside–leave your porch lights on and don’t leave your garage doors open or unlocked,” he advised. “It’s (been) a safe neighborhood and people take it for granted. But right now that’s where the money is, that’s where people are going.”

Cooper said most of the thefts are connected to the drug trade. He said the thieves hope to turn the items around quickly for cash so they can buy drugs.





More News

News
Governor vetoes vaccination exemption bill, and now that debate is primed to get even bigger
House Bill 5105 would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would have allowed private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
March 28, 2024 - 11:14 am
News
Lottery reports $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Charleston
Four numbers and Power Ball matched.
March 28, 2024 - 10:24 am
News
MetroNews This Morning 3-28-24
Summary of West Virginia news/sports/weather for Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024 - 6:25 am
News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm