BELINGTON, W.Va. – One person has been arrested after being accused of throwing rocks through the front door of the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in broad daylight on Wednesday.
Deputies from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department received a report that Richard Manuel, 50, was riding a bike in front of the Tygart Valley Regional Jail when he stopped and threw rocks through the front doors of the jail. Manuel then fled the scene on the bicycle.
A witness later positively identified Manuel and saw him lay the bicycle down in front of the jail and then hear a loud “bang.” The witness said after the “bang” he saw Manuel throwing something at the doors of the jail.
Another witness told police they saw Manuel walking along Abbey Rd. and heard two loud bangs while waiting outside the jail.
At the scene. Deputies found a large rock and broken glass outside the entry to the jail.
Manuel was taken into custody later while walking with a bicycle near railroad tracks in Crystal Springs.
During his arraignment, deputies found a note in his pocket that said “I’m going to the TVRJ, not be 4 one last good high” and “It’s my time 2 ride 2 die, live by the gun, die by the gun,” with his signature on it.
Manuel faces a single charge of destruction of property and is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in lieu of a $15,000 cash-only bond.