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A stolen property case against Grantsville resident John M. Richards was
continued yesterday in Calhoun magistrate court.
Richards has been charged with receiving about $13,275 in stolen
property from at least three different locations in Calhoun and Gilmer counties.
Magistrate Teresa Robinson granted a defense motion requesting to
continue the case until October 16. Attorney Shannon Baldwin is
representing Richards.
The criminal complaint alleges Richards is connected to stolen property
from a building site where work was being done by Mountaineer Log
Homes and building material from a shed at Hardman Supply in
Grantsville.
Items from these locations were discovered at Richards' residence in
south Grantsville on June 20th, after the Calhoun County Sheriff's
Department and the West Virginia State Police executed a search
warrant.
State Police said on June 25th they received a report of a breaking and
entering at Middletown Homes in Gilmer County. Kitchen items valued at
$4,125 were removed from that site. The items were discovered in a shed
on the Richards property, said the criminal complaint.
The initial search warrant on the Richard's property was issued after
Parson's One-Stop reported beer, cigarettes and sports equipment valued
at about $10,000 was stolen. The merchandise was taken from their
establishment during an early morning burglary a few months ago.
Hardman Supply said underpinning and mulch was taken from their
establishment. Items found that belonged to Mountaineer Homes included
wall-mounted heaters, a stackable washer-dryer, assorted tools and a
bathroom vanity.
Richards, who is free on $12,000 cash bond, has issued statements to
regional media proclaiming his innocence, including pending charges
against him for abduction in Washington County, Ohio.
Richards said he believes law enforcement knows he is not guilty, but is
"just looking for information from me."
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