MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man faces charges
of stealing more than $200,000 worth of property from the West Virginia
Department of Highways.
William Smallwood, 55, was arrested
Friday and charged with obtaining goods by false pretenses.
Troopers discovered a
large amount of tools and other items at Smallwood’s home and stored
in the garage of a friend. Some of the items had shipping labels addressed
to the DOH garage in Martinsburg and included “Care of Bill Smallwood” on the
label.
State police begin their
investigation July 5 after an anonymous caller told troopers about the stolen
property.
On Thursday troopers visited the
home of a woman who had posted an Internet picture of a dirt bike she was
selling. A large amount of the stolen property in question was in the
background of the picture. The woman told troopers Smallwood had asked to store
the items there, but she was unaware they were stolen. They found more of the
items at Smallwood’s home when they confronted him later.
Smallwood was released on $20,000 bond.
