PAX, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Fayette County woman is facing charges after allegedly taking her roommate’s car and failing to return it for nearly a week, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.
On February 14, 2025, Deputy J.A. Warshaw was approached by John William Matheny at the Fayetteville Road office to report a case of joyriding involving his 2021 black Ford Model S, bearing West Virginia plate D10482A.
Matheny told deputies that on the night of February 9, Morgan Nichole Cook — who rents a room in his home on Ruby Lane in Pax — asked to borrow his vehicle with a promise to return it later that evening. However, when Matheny woke the next morning, both Cook and the car were gone.
Despite several attempts to contact Cook over the following days, she failed to return the vehicle. Matheny said Cook did communicate briefly, claiming she would bring it back, but never followed through. After six days, Matheny contacted law enforcement to report the incident.
Deputy Warshaw attempted to reach Cook, but the phone number on file was no longer in service. Authorities have since begun the process of obtaining a warrant for Cook’s arrest on charges of joyriding under WV Code 17A-8-4. She has now been caught.
Cook is also facing charges out of Raleigh County for driving while revoked, possession of a controlled substance, and obstructing and officer.
