MASON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – What began as a routine question turned into a foot chase and crawlspace standoff Tuesday morning after deputies attempted to question a man about a hit-and-run investigation.
At approximately 7:47 a.m., an officer stopped at Greer Road to speak with a man in brown bib overalls and a black hoodie, seen standing near a Dodge pickup truck. The officer hoped to ask about a silver vehicle with front-end damage and a missing mirror—key details in an ongoing hit-and-run case.
As the officer exited his cruiser and announced his intention to speak, the man abruptly fled toward the nearby residence, frantically jiggling the locked front door before disappearing around the corner. Another officer, TFC M. Stewart, later confirmed the man had entered the house and was upstairs.
Authorities identified the fleeing man as Jason Riffle, who was found hiding in an upstairs crawlspace. Upon questioning, Riffle revealed another man—David Hill—was also concealed in the space.
Hill refused multiple commands to exit. Officers warned him he would be sprayed with a chemical agent if he didn’t comply. Even after being sprayed twice, Hill initially resisted but eventually began to crawl out. Officers then pulled Hill into the room, handcuffed him, and assisted him outside.
Due to exposure to the chemical agent, Hill was decontaminated at the scene and then transported to River’s Health ER for further treatment. He was later processed at the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and taken to magistrate court for arraignment.
The homeowner told officers he was unaware Hill was in the residence.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not confirmed whether Hill or Riffle are connected to the hit-and-run case.
