All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Barbour County man allegedly signs false name on shoplifting citation at Walmart

Leary

BUCKHANNON – A Barbour County man was arrested for allegedly giving a false name to police officers after attempting to shoplift.

Lucas W. Leary, 28, of Philippi, W.Va., was arrested for two counts of forgery or uttering, a felony, and obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Patrolman Jonathan Warner with the Buckhannon Police Department, on May 27, 2023, the E911 Upshur County Communication Center dispatched a call regarding alleged shoplifting at Walmart. Upon arrival, Asset Protection Lead Michael Wright informed Sgt. Tom Posey and Warner about the events that transpired.

Wright stated that Leary was allegedly attempting to use a magnet to unlock protected items in the store. Upon questioning, Leary allegedly gave police a false name, saying his name was Joseph Isaiah Leary. Warner issued a citation for first-offense shoplifting, which is a misdemeanor, according to West Virginia Code.

A criminal background check was conducted on the name Joseph Isaiah Leary, and no prior convictions for shoplifting were listed under that name. Wright, the Asset Protection Lead, and another Asset Protection employee used social media images to determine Leary’s true identity, the criminal complaint says. In addition, the report states that officers asked Leary multiple times if the name he had signed on the citation was his true identity, and he reportedly told police his name was ‘Joseph’ and denied having the name ‘Lucas.’

Leary signed the citation under the name of Joseph Isaiah Leary. He was then questioned again about the name he had signed on the citation, at which point he allegedly admitted his name was, in fact, Lucas Wayne Leary.

Bail was set at $33,000 cash or surety by Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder.

The penalty for forgery or uttering is confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than 10 years, or, in the discretion of the court, confinement in jail for not more than one year and a fine of up to $500.

The penalty for obstructing is a fine ranging between $50 and $500, confinement in jail for up to a year or both.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.