SAPD Welcomes New Officer

By jagee | Published: May 8, 2013

Ptl. Stout taking the oath from Mayor Callaway with Chief Matthews looking on

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Adam Stout from Parkersburg was sworn in as the newest police officer for the City of St. Albans.  He is already a certified officer, coming to us from Parkersburg PD.  This means he will hit the streets very quickly beginning with field training.  His first day will be on May 13.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Bridge Closure Has Reduced SA Car Crashes

By jagee | Published: May 2, 2013

The closing of the Dick Henderson Bridge, aka SA/Nitro Bridge, has shown a very visible impact in one area.  A reduction in car crashes.  From January 1, 2012 through April 30th, 2012 we had 17 car crashes in the US 60 & 3rd Street intersection areas.  During the same period this year, we have only had one crash in that area.

Crashes are down in other areas of the City as well.  SAPD has reported 40 fewer crashes city-wide in the first 4 months of 2013 than the same period in 2012.  This benefits the citizens of St. Albans as it frees up officers to patrol more.  Regarding reduced crashes at the US 60 & 3rd Street intersection areas, this frees up at least two officers as crashes in this area are usually more serious in nature and the area experiences a much higher volume of traffic.  Crashes in the middle of the intersection itself will often involve 3 or more police officers, at least 2 pieces of fire department apparatus, and at least one ambulance.  These crashes can take up to an hour to clear up also.

Having only one crash in this area has kept these personnel and equipment available for other emergencies.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

National Take Back Initiative

By jagee | Published: April 24, 2013

The National Take Back Initiative returns to St. Albans with another opportunity for you to properly dispose of your unused, unwanted, or expired medications.  Bring them to St. Albans Police Department this Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 2pm to drop them off.  We will take medicines that are over the counter, pet meds, or even scheduled pain narcotics.

Many families have medicines left over from a loved one that has passed away and are looking for a way to properly dispose of them.

We will take pills, capsules, patches, or liquids.  If you bring liquid medicines, please keep them in the original containers.  Remove or obliterate any personal information on any labels.

There is a 5K race going on, so feel free to stay and watch.

The National Take Back Initiative is a nationwide program sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration to help curb prescription drug abuse and clean the environment.  Flushing medicines down the toilet increases the chemicals needed to treat waste water to make it safe.

For more information on the program or to search for other drop off sites in the area, go to:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Crash at 5th Street at MacCorkle Avenue

By jagee | Published: April 7, 2013

Crash from US 60 @ 5th Street

At about 6pm today, a motorcycle collided with a car on US 60 @ 5th Street in St. Albans.  Witnesses say a car driven by Jo Ann Keefer (83 yoa from St. Albans) pulled out from 5th Street across US 60.  A motorcycle headed west on US 60 struck the side of Ms. Keefer’s car.  The motorcyclist was Zachary Crede (24 yoa recently moved from St. Albans).  His passenger on the motorcycle was Kristyn Walko (26 yoa, not immediately known where she is from).

Crede & Walko were transported to CAMC General.  Crede is in critical condition.  Walko had minor non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is still under investigation.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Neighborhood Tips leads to 2nd Drug Arrest

By jagee | Published: March 29, 2013

Timothy D. Basham

For the second time this year, neighborhood complaints have lead to the arrest of Timothy D. Basham for Distribution of a Controlled Substance.  This past January, complaints fueled an investigation by the newly formed Special Enforcement Unit of SAPD which lead to Basham’s arrest for drug charges.  Basham is out on bond for those charges and lead investigator Lt. M. A. Gilbert just testified before the Kanawha County Grand Jury in an effort to indict Basham on those charges.

On the latest investigation, SAPD continued to receive neighborhood complaints of possible drug sales going on at his residence in the 2200 block of Grant Avenue.  Another investigation was begun by our Special Enforcement Unit which culminated in the arrest of Basham yesterday afternoon, March 28, 2013.

Basham was arraigned at has since made bond on the charge.  The investigation is on-going regarding other parties involved.

Basham had been residing in a garage behind the home with a woman.  The St. Albans Building Office was consulted and it was found the garage did not meet proper building codes to be used as a residence.  It was condemned as a hazard due to wiring and trash issues and the woman was ordered out of the building.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Tip Leads to Child Porn Arrest

By jagee | Published: March 25, 2013

Joseph W. Brauksieck

On Friday March 25, an overdue rental truck was found by the business owner containing printed images of nude children.  Diamond Jewelers of St. Albans also rents Budget trucks rented a cargo truck to a man who kept it past the contract.  The truck was located and upon a standard inspection of the truck including the cargo area, several personal items were contained within.  Laying about were printed pictures of males and females that were obviously young juveniles.  The business owner notified SAPD and a responding officer was dispatched and confirmed the discovery.  All of the items, including a computer, was seized as possible evidence.

The person that had rented the truck was identified and an arrest warrant obtained by Ptl. P. M. Farry of SAPD.  At 6:45 pm on Friday March 25, the offender was located at a homeless shelter in Charleston where he was arrested without incident.  The offender, Joseph W. Brauksieck (32 y.o.a. most recently from Virginia) was brought to SAPD for processing.  He was Mirandized and when told a search warrant had been obtained for his computer he confessed to possessing the images and said many more would be found on his computer.

The computer will be forensically examined as per the search warrant obtained on Friday.  Brauksieck was arraigned and remanded to the South Central Regional Jail on a $50,000 bond where he remains today.

This arrest could not have been made had the business owner not called to report these disturbing images.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Grand Larceny warrant signed on Justin Lee Bradford

By jagee | Published: March 20, 2013

Justin Brafford

A man accused of a recent crime spree has been accused of stealing money from a St. Albans gambling parlor also.  On March 15, 2013 a a report was made to SAPD regarding a man who had stolen over $1300 cash from Lewie’s, a gambling parlor on US 60 @ Oak Street in St. Albans.  The theft was caught on video.

After the recent crimes caught on video in other jurisdictions allegedly done by Justin Lee Brafford, officers thought it looked like the Lewie’s offender.  The clerk at Lewie’s also saw the news reports and reported the same.

Ptl. Sheila McCuskey obtained a Grand Larceny warrant on Mr. Brafford (32 yoa) on Monday March 18.  Brafford faces other charges in Kanawha County and Cabell County for recent felonies.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

SA/Nitro Bridge Detonation Plan for March 1, 2013

By jagee | Published: February 28, 2013

Chief Matthews and Capt. Agee attended a planning meeting this morning with the construction contractor and demolition company regarding the plan for the detonation of the St. Albans side of the bridge.   Among those also in attendance were officials were Nitro Police Dept., St. Albans Fire Dept., Nitro Fire Dept., Kanawha County Sheriff’s Dept., WV State Fire Marshal, US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, and more.

During this meeting, we were presented with the timeline of the detonation planned for March 1, 2013 at 10:00am and the needed safety areas.

At 9:55am, SAPD officers will shut down traffic on US 60 at the intersections of 4th Street (by C&O Nissan) and 2nd Street (By Appalachian Tire and Subway).  Also 3rd Street will be shut down at the alley that runs behind Taco Bell & Tim Horton’s.  In this area, spectators may view the detonation on the SOUTH side of US60 only.  No one will be permitted on the North side of the road nor will they be permitted on any of the C&O car lots.  The St. Albans High School football stadium  and School Bus garage will be secured and no one will be permitted on those properties.  Those working at C&O and Lou Wendell Marine have been asked to stay inside their respective buildings and at least 8 feet away from windows.

Public viewing of the detonation will be allowed at Roadside Park.  This area is outside of the safety restriction zone.  The public parking areas will be on the lower level and upper level EAST of the shelter near the camping area.  The upper level parking by the shelters are reserved for Media and VIP.  Spectators can view from this area, however.  The restriction is for parking only.

Those parking on the lower lever of Roadside Park are asked to move their cars close to the US 60 end of the lower level area.  SAPD officers will be in the area to assist as needed.  Those parking on the east end of Roadside Park are asked to not park in the grass.  We expect a full crowd at Roadside Park so the best seat to view the detonation may be from your computer.  Local TV stations will be live streaming the detonation beginning shortly before 10:00am.

Motorists should be aware that there will be NO PARKING in the roadway from Roadside Park east to view the detonation.  If you are passing through St. Albans and do not want caught in the stopped traffic should avoid US60 all together.  You should come through before 9:45 or after 10:30 or use Kanawha Terrace to get through town.

In areas east of Roadside Park, spectators may walk across the road to the guardrail to view the event, but again NO vehicles will be permitted to park on the roadway.

Those in the area will hear siren blasts at 9:55am (five minute warning) and at 9:58am (two minute warning).  Barring any unforeseen circumstances the detonation will happen promptly at 10:00am.  We have been told the blast will be quite loud so small children may need to wear hearing protection.

A post detonation inspection will occur to insure all of the explosives detonated properly.  It is our hope that traffic can be reopened within minutes of the detonation at 10:00am.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Fugitive arrested Thursday Evening, 2/7/2013

By jagee | Published: February 12, 2013

Reginald Jackson

Catherine Pontier

Last Thursday evening (February 7, 2013), SAPD received information that Mr. Jackson (32 yoa from St. Albans area) was in a certain brown van.  Ptl. Sheila McCuskey saw the van and stopped it on US 60.  Mr. Jackson was inside and was arrested without incident.  He was wanted by Federal authorities for Probation Violation.  He was processed and turned over to the US Marshal’s Service.

The driver of the car, Catherine Pontier was also arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon (2 large knives) and Misdemeanor Possession of Xanax.  She is 40 yoa and from Nitro.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed

Fugitive from Justice from South Carolina Arrested

By jagee | Published: February 12, 2013

Jeremy P. McVey

SAPD received information that Mr. McVey was staying in St. Albans and was wanted out of South Carolina.  A computer check revealed McVey was in NCIC for failing to appear on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine.  He was arrested at a residence on Roosevelt Avenue in St. Albans without incident.  SAPD’s new Special Enforcement Unit and SAPD patrol officers made the arrest.  He will be transported to Magistrate Court shortly.

McVey is 19 yoa and is from Lexington, SC.

Posted in Press Releases | Comments closed