BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — A man and woman who reportedly called police to report a theft were placed under arrest in Morgan County Thursday after deputies realized they were fugitives from felony drug charges out of Frederick County, Virginia.
That call came in around 12:30 Thursday afternoon, according to Morgan County Sheriff K.C. Bohrer.
The pair were placed into Morgan County Sheriff’s Sergeant Lemon’s patrol SUV, but when the woman was taken out of the vehicle to answer a question, the handcuffed man, 42-year old Foster Crouse Miller, Jr., of Middletown, Virginia, drove off. The vehicle was found 20 minutes later.
A BOLO was issued, and reports started coming in of sightings – first on Winchester Grade and Luther Michael Road. Deputies from the Sheriff’s office and officers with the Berkeley Springs Police Department set up a perimeter in the area and a K-9 officer was sent in from the Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s office.
Citizens in the area assisted law enforcement on ATVs. Two hours later, fresh reports of sightings came in and the search moved to Spielman and Eppinger Road.
The suspect was arrested without further incident. MIller will face felony charges as a fugitive from justice (Frederick County, VA) and for grand larceny of police SUV and felony escape.
The female, identified as 26-year-old Victoria C. White, was charged as a fugitive from justice and is currently incarcerated in the Eastern Regional Jail with no bond.
The sheriff’s office wants to thank all the responding law enforcement agency personnel and concerned citizens for their help.
Police units responded from Hampshire and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Departments, (WV), Frederick County Sheriff’s Department (VA), Eastern Panhandle Violent Crime Task Force, Martinsburg City Police, Morgan County Deputy Reserves and West Virginia State Police from several area counties.
Chief Deputy Walter and bloodhound “Sam” responded to attempt K9 tracking. Chief Walter coordinated other K9 units to search from Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department and Frederick County (VA) Sheriff’s Department.