WV: Man charged over stealing pit bulls

A Holden man faces grand larceny charges for taking several items from a home, including two pit bulls.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Logan County Sheriff Deputy N.D. Tucker, he received a report of a burglary at Henlawson on Jan. 12. Upon arriving at the scene, the victim advised me that at around 3:30 p.m., she passed her ex-boyfriend, John Skeens, 27, on Henlawson Road in a blue/green van and that she saw her dogs in the vehicle. She further advised that when she got home she noticed her back door had been broken into. She stated that her two pit bulls and a Gateway laptop computer were missing. She said the dogs were both females about eight months old valued at around $250 a piece. She valued the Gateway laptop computer at $800 and said it was red in color

A statement from the victim’s neighbor stated that Skeens called her about 2 p.m. and asked her if his ex-girlfriend was home. She told Skeens she didn’t know. Skeens reportedly told the neighbor that he was coming to get some dog chains.

Tucker made contact with Skeens on the phone and explained to him the complaint that was made against him. Skeens allegedly requested to meet with Tucker at McDonald’s on Water Street in Logan. After meeting with Skeens, Tucker reports Skeens did have the dogs and computer and turned them over to him. Skeens reportedly told Tucker in a statement that he went to get his belongings from where he and his ex-girlfriend lived. He stated that all his belongings were gone except his dogs so he then took the two dogs and her laptop. After obtaining Skeens statement, Tucker returned the allegedly stolen property to the victim.

On Jan. 14, a criminal complaint filed by Logan County Deputy N.M. Booth states that Skeens was seen driving a blue Ford van through the city of Logan. Having knowledge of outstanding warrants on Skeens, Booth pulled Skeens over. Booth states that when coming in contact with Skeens, he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from Skeens, who then allegedly stated he had a roach in his hat. Booth ran a check on Skeens through the West Virginia DMV and found that he did not have any operators.

Combined charges from both incidences included daytime burglary, breaking and entering, grand larceny, no operators and simple possession. Skeens’ bail was set at $10,000.

Martha Sparks
1 days 7 hours ago

Man charged over stealing pit bulls - loganbanner.com