BUCKHANNON – A French Creek man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly breaking into a home and stealing a rifle and some coins in February.

Brandon Cartrette, 24, was arrested for burglary, a felony, on Tuesday, April 21, in connection to an event that allegedly occurred Feb. 7, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Senior Trooper P.J. Robinette with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police, at about 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, Robinette arrived at a residence on Kesling Mill Road in reference to a burglary complaint dispatched through the E911 Upshur County Communication Center.

Upon arrival, Robinette contacted the male victim who stated someone had broken into his residence while he was away for work. Robinette was then directed by the victim to the back door of the residence. According to the report, the bottom right pane of glass in the back door was broken, and broken glass was found on the outside and inside of the door.

The victim then showed Robinette a back-spare bedroom and said a rifle that was previously stored in a gun cabinet in the bedroom closet had been stolen. The man said the rifle was a Remington 760 30-6 with a 3-9 power Tasco Scope and wooden stock valued at approximately $800.

The only other item the victim noticed was missing at the time were several coins valued at approximately $10-15 from inside a large water jug within his bedroom.

A break in the case came on Tuesday, when, according to the report, Robinette obtained an audio statement from Cartrette, in which he allegedly confessed to forcing entry into the victim’s residence and stealing the above-mentioned gun, as well as numerous miscellaneous items.

Bail was set at $10,000.

The penalty for a conviction of burglary is imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than 15 years.