WILLIAMSON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A domestic violence call led to a dramatic arrest Thursday evening after a man attempted to hide from law enforcement in the ceiling of a Williamson home—only to come crashing down onto a refrigerator.
Deputies with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department responded to a reported domestic altercation on E. 4th Ave., where a woman claimed her boyfriend, Casey Joe Mathews, had struck her in the back of the head and mouth. She told dispatchers that Mathews refused to leave the residence.
When officers arrived, they found the victim visibly shaken and emotional. She informed deputies that Mathews was still inside and pointed them toward the bathroom. Although a search initially turned up empty, officers noticed ceiling tiles above the toilet had been disturbed, and a rack was knocked over—indicating Mathews may have climbed into the attic.
Deputies announced themselves and instructed Mathews to surrender, but he remained hidden. As they began moving tiles, Mathews attempted to flee through the attic space but fell through the ceiling—landing directly on the refrigerator. Deputy May quickly grabbed him, and after a short struggle, Mathews was taken into custody.
A background check revealed a troubling pattern. Mathews has prior convictions for domestic assault (2022), two for domestic battery (2018 and 2022), and two prior convictions for fleeing from officers (2018 and 2023).
He now faces five charges:
- Felony Domestic Battery (Third Offense)
- Misdemeanor Domestic Assault (Second Offense)
- Two counts of Misdemeanor Obstruction
- Misdemeanor Fleeing on Foot (Third Offense)
