CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County deputies aren’t sure if three incidents of stolen pickup trucks from the weekend are somehow connected.
Three separate investigations are under ways after an F350 pickup owned by the Division of Highways was stolen from a DOH Garage on U.S. Route 119 outside of Charleston around noon Saturday.
“Surveillance video showed a female suspect walking around stealing various items including a DOH work shirt and hat along with the keys to a pickup truck,” said Sgt. Brian Humphreys of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. “She then crashed through the gate causing thousands of dollars in damage.”
The woman has since been identified through the video surveillance. Deputies say she is Elizabeth Nicole Clay, 34, of Charleston. A warrant for her arrest has been obtained charging her with breaking and entering, grand larceny, and felony destruction of property. Clay remains at large.
Early Sunday morning deputies were advised about a stolen Courtesy Patrol F-150 and a stolen Chevrolet truck. The Courtesy Patrol vehicle was tracked by dispatchers using an on board GPS device.
“They could tell from the GPS the truck was headed toward the Edens Fork exit of I-77 in the Sissonville area. Deputies set up stop sticks to wait for them,” Humphreys explained. “That truck and another stolen truck that was with him,, both drove over the stop sticks, both crashed, and the drivers in both vehicles fled on foot.”
Both drivers were also apprehended by the same canine unit. Deputies say the Courtesy Patrol truck was driven by Steven Clay, 21, of Charleston. The second truck, a Chevrolet reported stolen in Dunbar at a different time, was driven by James Bostic, 27, of Charleston. It’s unclear if the two were working together or if they were tied to the break-in at the DOH garage. Both were charged with transferring or receiving a stolen vehicle and fleeing with reckless indifference. Additional charges may be filed at a later date.
Kanawha County Deputies are on the hunt of a fourth individual tied to a stolen pickup truck noticed in the Elkview area. The truck passed a deputy patrolling Cooper’s Creek and fled into the Sanderson area with the deputy in pursuit. The driver eventually abandoned the 1986 Dodge pickup when he became stuck in the mud. He’s been identified as Joseph Robert Taylor, 25 of Charleston, WV. A warrant for his arrest has been obtained charging him with possession of a stolen vehicle and fleeing from an officer.