Three arrested in theft investigation in northern West Virginia, troopers say

WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — Three people, including two wanted in multiple states, were arrested in a theft investigation in northern West Virginia, troopers said.

The investigation started March 1 after troopers received a report of a stolen Frontier Communications truck in the Romney, W.Va., area, according to a news release from West Virginia State Police.

On March 7, troopers said they also received a complaint of a stolen GMC Sierra less than half a mile from the stolen Frontier truck. The next day, officers in Cumberland, Md., located the GMC truck pulling a stolen trailer, troopers said.

The driver of the truck, Lindsey Teresi, 30, of Cumberland was taken into custody and an unknown male passenger fled in the stolen Frontier truck, which was then pulling a trailer. The GMC truck was returned to its owner.

Two days later, Hampshire County deputies were searching an area west of Romney where they found the stolen Frontier truck at a campground, along with a suspected side-by-side, a suspected stolen trailer, generators, 11 firearms, including pistols, an illegal AR-15 and other rifles, the news release said.

Johnathan Church, 43, of Goldsboro, Md., and Jarel Schaefer, 43, of Denton, Md., were arrested and charged in connection with the alleged stolen property, according to the news release.

Troopers said the two men, who were convicted felons and fugitives from multiple agencies in Maryland and Delaware at the time of their arrests, were charged with grand larceny, possession of stolen property, felon in possession of firearms, conspiracy and being fugitives from justice.

The value of the recovered stolen items is approximately $70,000, the news release said.