MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man faces charges of stealing more than $200,000 worth of property from the West Virginia Department of Highways.
William Smallwood, 55, was arrested Friday and charged with obtaining goods by false pretenses.
Troopers discovered a large amount of tools and other items at Smallwood’s home and stored in the garage of a friend. Some of the items had shipping labels addressed to the DOH garage in Martinsburg and included “Care of Bill Smallwood” on the label.
State police begin their investigation July 5 after an anonymous caller told troopers about the stolen property.
On Thursday troopers visited the home of a woman who had posted an Internet picture of a dirt bike she was selling. A large amount of the stolen property in question was in the background of the picture. The woman told troopers Smallwood had asked to store the items there, but she was unaware they were stolen. They found more of the items at Smallwood’s home when they confronted him later.
Smallwood was released on $20,000 bond.