FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Oak Hill man faces charges after shoplifting from Lowe’s and Walmart.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, at approximately 10:00 AM, Sergeant J.L. Milam was contacted by a Lowe’s Asset Protection (AP) Agent regarding a male subject who had allegedly exited the store with unpaid merchandise. According to the agent, the individual, later identified as David Blethen, left the premises on a bicycle, heading south toward US Route 19.
At approximately 10:30 AM, Sergeant Milam located Blethen riding his bicycle near the Fayetteville Lowe’s. Upon making contact, Blethen was found to be in possession of multiple items, including three Gerber knives, a Kobalt knife, Kobalt gloves, and a Mossy Oak 3-piece deer hunting knife set. All items were still in their packaging. Further investigation revealed aluminum foil in Blethen’s watch pocket, which contained a white crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
A visit to Lowe’s confirmed that the total value of the stolen items was $30.96, including the Kobalt knife and gloves. A subsequent investigation at Walmart revealed that items taken from that location, including the Gerber knives and the Mossy Oak knife set, amounted to $72.02 in total.
A criminal history check revealed that Blethen had two prior shoplifting convictions, both occurring on April 27, 2022, with charges from Oak Hill PD and Beckley PD. Both new shoplifting incidents took place in Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia.
Blethen now faces charges of shoplifting and drug possession.
