Two people who burglarized a residence contacted the victims looking for passwords to stolen electronics.
The Paintsville Police Department arrested 33-year-old Brian K. Gatewood and 32-year-old Shasta N. Daniels, both of Paintsville, after they broke into a home on Bridge Street and stole electronics, business bank cards, computers, and household items, according to a report by WYMT.com.
Over $1,000 was charged to the bank cards, and soon after, the victims began receiving messages from a person who claimed they bought one of the victim’s stolen computers on Facebook Marketplace, and requested to meet the victims “so they could provide a password to unlock the computer,” WYTM.com reports.
One of the victims met the couple at Budget Inn Express, as police stood by. When officers made contact with the couple, they requested Daniels’ ID. When Daniels opened the door to the motel room to retrieve her ID, police observed drugs in plain view.
Officers obtained and executed a search warrant on the motel room and discovered methamphetamine, a check written to the victims that had been altered and signed by Gatewood, along with several other items stolen from the Bridge Street residence.
“It is very unusual for someone to contact the person they robbed to want the password. But it worked out really good and they’re in jail,” Paintsville Public Safety Director Darrell Preston told WYMT.com.
Gatewood was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), criminal possession of a forged instrument, public intoxication (excludes alcohol), identity theft, and receiving solen property (more than $1,000, less than $10,000).
Daniels’ only listed charge is failure to appear.
Both suspects were lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
