Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 27, 1993 TAG: 9301270126
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
WYTHE THEFT RING BROKEN; 5 CHARGED
Five people have been arrested in what investigators described on Tuesday as the breakup of a Wythe County burglary ring."There will be other charges placed as a result of this investigation, and there will be other people arrested," said Lt. Keith Dunagan, an investigator with the Wythe County Sheriff's Department.
Arrested were Willie Lon Rice II, 26; George Phillip Painter Jr., 29, and Tyrone Lee Coates, 24, all living at the same Route 4, Wytheville, address; Derek Shawn Lilly, 18, of Wytheville; and Beauie Alexander Dennison, 20, Route 1, Max Meadows.
The arrests were made Thursday and Friday. Three of the men were free on bond Tuesday, pending preliminary hearings Feb. 22 and 26.
The men are charged in break-ins and thefts at several locations, including the Virginia Department of Purchasing warehouse in Wytheville; the offices of Dr. David Wilson, a Wytheville dentist; and the Wythe County School Board in Wytheville; and Snooper's Antique Mall off Interstate 81-77 between Wytheville and Fort Chiswell. Rice also is charged with possession of stolen property.
Dunagan and Jim Scott, another investigator, displayed some of the recovered loot across a long table at the sheriff's office Tuesday. It included nearly 10 swords and three Civil War-era pistols from the antiques mall, where the most valuable items were taken in the series of break-ins; knives and stereo equipment from the warehouse; and videotapes from Wythe TV & Appliance.
Two of the swords were valued at about $750 each.
Dunagan said the loot was recovered from three locations. While about 90 percent of the stolen antiques were recovered, he said other items taken elsewhere still are being sought.