Burglaries pose growing threat in 3 counties

Jeffrey Alderton

PAW PAW, W.Va. - Morgan County residents are considering formation of a neighborhood watch in the wake of recent breaking and enterings that have occurred there and in neighboring counties.

"We had a meeting at the town park Monday to see what can be done and to get more police protection in our community," said Susie Fletcher, an organizer of the event who is one of the victims.

"They hit my home on June 30 and took a .22-caliber pistol, lots of coins from our coin collection, and all my jewelry," said Fletcher. She estimated the value of the stolen items taken from her Henry Miller Highway residence at $2,500.

The Slanesville native said she has counted 22 burglaries that have occurred in the last month and a half. "But a guy at the meeting stood up and said he had two in his area at Largent. Then two women stood up and said they had five in the same area of Largent," said Fletcher.

Some of the incidents have occurred on Bethel Road and some "in town," Fletcher said. Some of the victims were hit more than once.

The incidents are being investigated by West Virginia State Police and the Morgan County Sheriff's Office along with authorities in Hampshire County and Allegany County.

Wednesday, Morgan County Lt. Tim Stapleton reported the arrest of Frank T. Cardran, 24, on a burglary charge in Hampshire County.

Cardran was arrested Tuesday by Hampshire and Morgan County sheriff's deputies at a residence on Bethel Road in Hampshire County. He remained jailed Wednesday at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond set by a Hampshire County magistrate.

Stapleton said Cardran is a "person of interest" in connection with the Morgan County break-ins.

In Allegany County, a warrant was issued Monday for Cardran charging him with multiple felony and theft charges in connection with four breaking and enterings that occurred July 15 in Oldtown.

Allegany County Deputy Craig Simpson contacted Cardran on July 16 at Cardran's residence on Henry Miller Highway in Paw Paw after his investigation developed Cardran as a possible suspect.

A consent search there led to recovery of numerous stolen items including prescription medications that were reported stolen in the four burglaries at Oldtown. The warrant was then obtained from district court for Cardran's arrest.

Simpson, a former officer with the Frostburg and Cumberland police departments prior to joining the sheriff's office nearly five years ago, said investigation that included witness information led to identification of Cardran as a suspect.

Simpson said he has linked Cardran to burglaries in Hampshire County and Frederick County, Va., in addition to the Oldtown burglaries.

A detainer is on file to extradite Cardran to Allegany County in the event he posts bond in Hampshire County.

However, it appears likely that additional charges will be filed against Cardran in Morgan County before he is returned to Allegany County.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. Scott Davis attended Monday's meeting along with about 100 other people including Town Council members, law enforcement and concerned citizens.

"It was held to create awareness and to find ways that the community and police can work together.

"Neighbors need to keep an eye on one another and report or take note of any suspicious persons or activity in their neighborhood," said Davis. "Most of the crimes occur in the middle of the day."

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.