MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Police in Morgantown made an arrest that stopped a rash of Fifth Ward burglaries during August.
Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble first noted the issue during a council meeting by putting the public on notice.
” I have been fielding text messages, emails and phone calls daily about an uptick in crime in the Fifth Ward, specifically in the Woodburn neighborhood,” Trumble told constituents.
Information from the Morgantown Police Department reports nine burglaries in the Fifth Ward during the last half of August. Burglaries during the same time frame were reported in downtown and the Sunnyside area as well.
August 31, police received a tip from a residents about a suspicious person on Grant Avenue. When officers arrived they quickly took a male into custody exiting a home later identified as Larry Heaster. Detectives were able to tie Heastor to burglaries in on Louise Avenue and two others in Sunnyside.
Since Heaster’s arrest there have been no other burglaries reported anywhere in the city, according to deputy chief of police P.J. Scott.
Residents are asked to be vigilant and watch for things that look out of place. Residents should call 911 if they see a crime in progress or call 304-284-7520 with information regarding criminal activity.
Police caution residents about an increase in theft from vehicles. Residents should cars locked and valuables out of open view.