Counterfeit bill transaction at Dollar General leads to high-speed chase, crash

CAPON BRIDGE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two men suspected of attempting to use counterfeit bills at a Dollar General store were transported for medical attention following a high-speed chase with law enforcement.

The Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department reports that, on June 8, 2023 at approximately 8:29 P.M., Hampshire County 911 received a call of two suspects attempting to spend counterfeit money at the Capon Bridge Dollar General Store.

Police were provided with a vehicle description by the caller and deputies were advised to be on the lookout for the car in question. After leaving the Dollar General Store, the suspects traveled to the Family Dollar in Capon Bridge. A second caller advised that the suspects had taken the vehicle registration off the car and were headed west on Route 50.

Deputies initiated a search for the vehicle and were able to locate the vehicle traveling west on Rt. 50 near the Rt. 50/29 intersection. Cpl. Crites then reportedly made an attempt to stop the vehicle, leading to a pursuit.

The registration plate suspects’ vehicle had been obscured, hindering deputies from obtaining the registered owner’s information from the vehicle. The pursuit continued west on Rt. 50 with speeds reaching over 100 mph, continuing into the Romney area with the suspect vehicle traveling several back streets before turning north on Rt. 28.

Due to the danger presented by the speeds at which the suspects’ vehicle was traveling, Corporal Crites eased on the pursuit, but gave chase once more upon witnessing the vehicle turn onto Rt. 28. The vehicle continued to travel north on Rt. 28.

Officer Harthun of Romney Police Department successfully deployed stop sticks at the intersection of Rt. 28 and Willow Drive. The stop sticks successfully punctured a minimum of one tire on the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle continued on Rt. 28, eventually crashing near the intersection of Rt. 28 and Poland Hollow Road, with the vehicle landing on its top trapping both the driver and passenger in the car.

Fire and EMS units were immediately dispatched to the crash scene and both suspects were succesfully extricated from the vehicle. The driver was transported to UPMC by ground, and the passenger was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital. Neither individual believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

Numerous counterfeit bills were recovered from inside the suspects’ car by Deputies, along with bills which had been thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit.

Authorities warn that additional counterfeit bills may be in the Rt. 28 area, and citizens are asked to contact the sheriff’s office if any of these bills are located. Those who come into contact with these bills are instructed not to attempt to use them.

James Delonte Coffield, age 31 of Washington, DC was identified as the driver and Dontrell Lamar Deaner, age 33, of Washington, DC was identified as the passenger. Both are facing numerous felony charges as a result of the incident.

Assistance in the crash investigation was provided by Cpl. Bowland of West Virginia State Police.