ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The investigation of a December burglary has led to a number of charges issued for several individuals, at least one of whom had been actively supplying one or more juveniles with methamphetamine.
According to Deputy Pingley of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation into a burglary at Highland Park was set into motion last month. The victim in the situation had many items stolen from their home, including firearms, ammunition, silver bars, and coins, the total value of which is reported to have been over $10,000.
Given the lack of evidence to indicate forced entry, it was determined that the perpetrator likely entered the residence using a key. The victim disclosed that only one other person possessed a key to the residence – a recently deceased family member.
Walking next door to confront the son of the deceased family member regarding the burglary, the victim purportedly observed the potential suspect smoking meth and saw a large bag of methamphetamine in plain sight upon arrival. The victim left the residence at this time, as the potential suspect was incoherent.
A search warrant to this Highland Street residence was obtained by Deputy Pingley and was executed based on alleged drug use. Within the residence officers located a cell phone and box of personal items from the home of the victim.
The cell phone had a paper taped to the back of it containing the handwriting of the victim. The potential suspect, Robert A. Cain denied stealing the items but stated that he had had people over at the residence earlier, one of whom was identified as Bobby Burnley.
As it was possible that Burnley took the spare keys, accessed the victim’s residence, and was responsible for the placement of the cell phone in Cain’s residence, Burnley became the primary suspect in the burglary investigation.
Cain was arrested for possession of a controlled substance during the execution of the aforementioned search warrant.
On the same day, Deputy Pingley responded to a complaint of a missing juvenile at Elkins City Hall. The juvenile in question had purportedly taken the keys to her guardian’s vehicle. It was believed by the guardian that the juvenile had gone to her boyfriend’s Cravens Run Road residence.
When deputies arrived at the residence, contact was made with the guardian of the male juvenile boyfriend who advised that he was also gone. As the juveniles whereabouts were unknown and the location turned off on their cellular devices, a missing juvenile case was initiated. The juvenile female was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC.) The vehicle was also entered as stolen.
Information came to light that the juveniles were allegedly with adults Bobby Burnley and Jessica White, and that the four were said to be on their way to Pennsylvania to get airplane tickets to someplace out west. The burglary case and the missing juvenile case became linked at this point.
On December 16, 2022, Deputy Pingley received information that the vehicles along with the adults and juveniles were back in Randolph County. The juvenile boyfriend turned himself in at the probation office.
While awaiting transport for a juvenile pickup order the juvenile advised that he had information pertaining to a Highland Park burglary. He disclosed that he and Bobby Burnley had gone into the residence of the victim and taken the aforementioned items from the house, as Burnley had keys to the residence.
The juvenile advised he had assisted Burnley because Burnley supplied him with meth, and it was disclosed that Burnley and Jessica White had engaged in child neglect. At this time Deputy Pingley also learned that the stolen vehicle and other juvenile had returned home.
Sgt. Cogar and Deputy Pingley then traveled to the residence on Cravens Run Road, searching the property with consent from the owner. Here, deputies located several items including firearms, drug paraphernalia, a set of keys, and personal property belonging to Bobby Burnley and the juveniles. These items were recovered as evidence.
Later, Deputy Pingley conducted an interview with the juvenile female who also confirmed behavior of child neglect from Burnley and White.
The victim was contacted and met with Deputy Pingley regarding the recovered keys. The victim had changed the locks on the residence but had kept the old locks as well. One of the recovered keys showed to be a match for the lock. At this point warrants were issued against Jessica White and Bobby Burnley.
On December 21, 2022, Burnley contacted Deputy Pingley regarding the latter’s search for him, stating he was out of town. Deputy Pingley attempted to set up a face-to-face meeting but could not establish contact again.
Jessica White was arrested on December 27, 2022, and was transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail following arraignment.
On Friday, December 30, 2022, Burnley was located on South Davis Avenue in the Elkins area attempting to conceal himself in a vehicle by Deputy L. Elbon with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. Burnley was removed from the vehicle, arrested, and transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Another firearm belonging to the victim was located at a separate residence on Cravens Run Road, and attempts are still underway to recover the victim’s stolen property.
Deputy Pingley reports that this situation thus far has generated three different cases with three arrests totalling nine charges. Juvenile petitions are expected to be filed in the future.
Bobby Burnley was arrested and charged with three counts of Felony Child Neglect and one count of Grand Larceny.
Jessica White was arrested and charged with three counts of Felony Child Neglect.
Robert A. Cain was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Randolph County area can be found here, while additional LOOTPRESS crime coverage can be found here.
Arrests made after juvenile supplied with meth, residence robbed
