RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man is facing multiple charges after an investigation into a stolen vehicle led Raleigh County deputies to recover jewelry, gift cards, a chainsaw and other stolen property.
According to the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Villers was dispatched to a residence in the Piney View area on Aug. 24 regarding a reported stolen vehicle.
During the initial investigation, authorities identified Michael Shawn Ayers as a possible suspect. Investigators said Villers followed up on leads and located the stolen vehicle in the Beckley area.
The following day, Deputy Quesenberry encountered Ayers while investigating an unrelated burglary, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said Ayers was found in possession of jewelry and gift cards believed to be connected to other thefts.
Quesenberry continued investigating and developed additional information that led to the recovery of more stolen property, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said Villers later interviewed Ayers, who confessed to stealing the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office said the recovered jewelry was determined to have been stolen during a burglary being investigated by Cpl. Schack.
Authorities ultimately recovered a stolen vehicle, jewelry, gift cards and a chainsaw, all of which were returned to their respective owners.
Ayers was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary, one count of grand larceny and one count of petit larceny.
The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office credited Villers, Quesenberry and Schack for their work during the investigation. The agency also thanked Trooper Gilkerson of the West Virginia State Police for assisting.
Ayers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
