MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A 31-year-old Westover man is in police custody in relation to a reported larceny that occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Friday.
John Phillip Richie has been charged with unauthorized use of an access device, possession of a controlled substance and receiving/possessing stolen property.
According to a news release from Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston, the victim of the larceny saw Richie leaving the scene and reported Richie’s location as he was leaving the Southpark Area crossing the Walnut Street bridge into the downtown area. The victim was confronting Richie as officers arrived on scene.
Richie was found in possession of several items belonging to the victim, including a duffle bag and backpack that were taken from the victim’s vehicle. He was taken into custody and found to have outstanding warrants for unauthorized use of an access device as well as being in possession of methamphetamine and numerous other items of personal property.
Officers continued the investigation and were able to identify the owner of the other personal property and found it to have been taken from a vehicle located in the Southpark neighborhood.
Richie was booked into the North Central Regional Jail. Additional charges could be pending.