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Arrests made in burglaries

By MAC OVERTON

Recent arrests have cleared up as many as six recent burglaries in the county, Sheriff Anthony Betterton said. A large quantity of stolen property was recovered.

Those arrested include Mychael Jameson McCollough, 24, and Crystal Jewel Jones, 27, both of Gilmer. A third Gilmer man, sought in the burglaries, is still at large. He is identified as Derrick Demond Bowens, 27.

In a news release, Betterton said that “The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple burglaries.” He said that on March 29, a Rhino ATV was found abandoned in a suspicious area off of Zinnia Road close to Diana. “Deputy Anthony Taylor responded to the call and located the ATV close to a wooded area, and had it towed since it was suspected of being stolen,” Betterton said.

Later that day, a burglary of a habitation was reported to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. Perpetrators took numerous items from the residence, including firearms, two motorcycles and a Rhino ATV.

The ATV had been recovered a short distance from where the burglary had occurred earlier in the day. The sheriff said that a green pickup, believed to be the suspects’ vehicle, was also seen in the area.

Around midnight that day, the burglary victim noticed a green pickup near where Deputy Taylor had recovered the Rhino, the sheriff said.

“The pickup was pulling a trailer, which had been reported stolen to the Gilmer Police Department,” Betterton said. “The homeowner then confronted the suspects and two black males exited the vehicle and fled on foot,” he said. The homeowner then contacted the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies set up a perimeter in an attempt to locate the suspects.

About 2 a.m. March 30, Deputy Marty Massoletti noticed two men running across U.S. 259 at the intersection with FM 726. He pursued and apprehended one suspect in a creek, but the other eluded him.

The arrested suspect was identified as Mychael Jameson McCollough or Michael McCullough. (His listing at countyofupshur.com/judicialsearch shows many other variations in the spellings of his first and last names.) Investigator Freddie Fitzgerald identified the trailer as having been stolen from Gilmer Housing Authority. He also learned that Bowens was the second suspect.

Ms. Jones was arrested Wednesday and charged as an accessory and with possession of stolen property, Betterton said. McCollough was being held on bonds totalling $126,500, including a $25,000 cash bond. Ms. Jones was held on a $25,000 cash bond.

Investigator Fitzgerald was assisted by Sheriff’s Investigator Chase Mullins.

Betterton said that the time frame on these burglaries ranged by January to March 29 of this year, and that the burglaries are from buildings and residences, including the Upshur County Pct. 4 County Barn.

“As of today (Wednesday), the total amount of property recovered is estimated to be between $25,000 and $30,000,” the sheriff said.

Through Upshur County Crime Stoppers, a reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of Bowens. Call 903-843-3131, or the Sheriff’s Office at 903-843-2541. You do not have to give your name, just your information.

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