CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – One of the three subjects involved in a multi-county pursuit, a rolling shootout, and a manhunt has been sentenced in Harrison County.
Wilber Chicas, 28, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced to up to five years for fleeing with reckless indifference, up to 15 years for attempted murder, and 35 years for seven counts of wanton endangerment.
Chicas will get credit for one year and one month of time already served and will be eligible for parole on the Harrison County charges in 2035.
Chicas is still waiting to be tried in Marion County.
Two others involved in the incident, Luis Lebron and Jeroenne Santiago, continue to wait for their day in court.
The incident started at the Walmart on Emily Drive in May 2022 as a shoplifting investigation when Luis Lebron fled with the other two suspects in a van.
Police observed the van on Route 50 and began to attempt to stop the trio when they fired on police from the back of the van.
Police continued to pursue through Bridgeport on Center St., Smith St., Pennsylvania Ave., Del Dew Ave., Lawman Ave., and East Olive St. before finally turning onto Benedum Drive. Again, shots were fired from the van in close proximity to several bystanders.
On Benedum Dr., officers said a passenger in the van opened the rear door and began throwing furniture and other items at police as they pursued.
The van then turned onto I-79 northbound and fled into Marion County. In Marion County, one of the passengers continued to engage police with gunfire, with one shot hitting the windshield of a police cruiser. More items were also thrown from the back of the van that struck some of the pursuing police.
In White Hall, the van exited the interstate and re-entered I-79, traveling north in the southbound lanes.
The van then came to a stop near a wooded area on I-79, with one of the passengers continuing to fire on police.
The driver and passenger started a fire before fleeing on foot. One of the passengers continued to fire at deputies while exiting the van.
All three were apprehended following a search that included K-9 officers.
Police were also able to confirm the van had been stolen from the Greenville, South Carolina, area.