FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two men are facing felony charges after deputies stopped a truck carrying stolen power line material in Fayette County.
According to Sheriff Jess McMullen, the incident unfolded just after 9:00 a.m. on January 29, 2025, when deputies were alerted by AEP about individuals spotted on a trail camera dragging power line through the woods on Beury Mountain in the Thurmond area.
While responding to the report, deputies passed a truck with cable in the bed and conducted a traffic stop.
Upon investigation, they identified the wire as AEP property.
Jonathon Cummings, 36, of Daniels, and Lorenza Payne, 37, of Oak Hill, were arrested and charged with felony Grand Larceny, Conspiracy, and Destruction of Property.
Authorities remind the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department at 304-574-3590 or Crime Stoppers of West Virginia at 304-255-STOP.
