RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Mount Hope man is facing multiple felony charges following a theft investigation in Raleigh County that involved stolen equipment, a trailer, and dirt bikes.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Raleigh County Magistrate Court, Christopher Shane Franklin, 42, was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and receiving or transferring stolen goods.
West Virginia State Police said the investigation began on Friday, Dec. 26, when troopers responded around 10:30 a.m. to a report of grand larceny in the Beckley area.
Prior to that call, troopers had received an information tip earlier that morning describing a bright yellow truck with a black stripe hauling a white box trailer. The tipster reported that multiple men were unloading dirt bikes and zero-turn lawn mowers at a residence along Mill Creek Road.
When troopers arrived at a home on Cranberry Drive, the victim reported that their mobile home and outbuilding had been broken into, with windows damaged and several items stolen.
The stolen property included a white box trailer, two zero-turn lawn mowers, two dirt bikes, and various household items. Surveillance footage from the residence showed a yellow truck pulling the white trailer up to the home and later leaving the area.
Troopers later located one of the stolen dirt bikes hidden behind a nearby residence. Investigators spoke with neighbors who said they observed several men unloading the items earlier in the day.
Using Beckley Police Department camera footage, officers were able to identify the truck and trace its registration back to Franklin.
Troopers later located the truck and made contact with Franklin.
According to the complaint, Franklin told officers he had hauled the trailer for a friend and claimed he was unaware the items were stolen.
Investigators allege Franklin transported the stolen property to multiple locations, dropping off some items before leaving the trailer and remaining property at a residence in the Minden area.
Based on the investigation, authorities determined there was probable cause to charge Franklin. A warrant was issued, and he was taken into custody.
Franklin is currently being held at the Southern Regional Jail on a $50,000 bond.
