BERKELEY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD) conducted an extensive warrant roundup on Tuesday, involving multiple law enforcement divisions and resulting in eight arrests.
This operation, led by Chief Eric Burnett, aimed to serve fifty warrants obtained for various charges, ranging from battery to drug-related offenses.
The operation included participation from patrol deputies, SWAT, the Criminal Investigations Division, Berkeley County Marshals Transportation Division, the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Eastern Regional Jail Transportation Division.
Of the fifty warrants, deputies made twenty-seven attempts and successfully arrested eight individuals.
Among those arrested, charges included battery, domestic battery, and possession with intent to distribute drugs.
The BCSD has announced that this roundup is the first of many, with future efforts planned to ensure all outstanding warrants are served.
Unserved warrants will be posted on the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page, and offenders are urged to contact the department to arrange a date and time to turn themselves in.
One incident during the operation occurred on Driftwood Court, where deputies served arrest warrants for drug charges against two occupants.
Michael Austin, 64, was apprehended without incident. However, the second suspect, Joseph Boyer, 32, attempted to evade arrest by barricading himself in the residence.
Due to safety concerns and the size of the property, the SWAT team was called in to assist.
During the search, illegal narcotics were observed, prompting the acquisition of a search warrant for both the drugs and the suspect.
Despite several notifications, the suspect did not respond, leading the SWAT team to deploy chemical munitions. Eventually, Boyer was found hiding in the attic.
After deploying additional chemical munitions, Boyer signaled his location by knocking and shouting from within the walls.
He was subsequently assisted into custody by SWAT members and transported to the Eastern Regional Jail.
