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

Man who allegedly took snacks and socks from Dollar General arrested for felony shoplifting

Kirkpatrick

BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly taking snacks and socks from a Dollar General.

William J. Kirkpatrick, 44, of Buckhannon, was arrested Sunday on two counts of third-offense shoplifting, a felony.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Trooper Zachery Lewis with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police, at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, Lewis responded to Dollar General in French Creek in reference to an alleged report of shoplifting, which had just occurred. When Lewis arrived at the Dollar General, the clerk working said a male in the store had allegedly left with unknown merchandise without paying for it.

The clerk said the male was wearing a striped shirt and baseball cap and was walking on the roadway towards Adrian.

Lewis subsequently saw a male matching the description somewhere between the Dollar General store and Adrian. When the state trooper stepped out of his vehicle, Lewis saw the male, who was identified as Kirkpatrick, allegedly pull what appeared to be socks out of his pocket and throw them to the ground, according to the police report. Lewis also reportedly saw unopened merchandise sticking out of the man’s pocket, the file says.

Lewis asked Kirkpatrick if he paid for the merchandise at Dollar General, to which he responded “no,” according to the complaint. Kirkpatrick then allegedly admitted he took the items from Dollar General because he needed socks and was hungry. Lewis recovered a pack of Baby Ruth candy bars, Hershey’s almond candy bars, men’s socks and a muscle-building drink; the value of these products after tax was $14.33, the police report states.

Lewis escorted Kirkpatrick back to Dollar General to return the merchandise and speak with the Dollar General clerk. The clerk said Kirkpatrick was seen allegedly putting items into his pockets by a customer and he was a “known shoplifter,” the file states. The state trooper contacted the Elkins Communications Center for information on Kirkpatrick’s criminal history and later found out Kirkpatrick had been convicted of shoplifting second offense, a misdemeanor, on Sept. 14, 2020, in Harrison County.

Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder set bail at $2,500 cash or surety, and as of Tuesday night, Kirkpatrick remained incarcerated in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, according to the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority.

The penalty for a conviction of third-offense shoplifting on each count is imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 10 years and a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. At least one year shall actually be spent in confinement and not subject to probation.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Turn the page on a long winter: Little Free Libraries are the perfect Spring activity

Little Free Libraries in Upshur County offer free books at numerous locations, fostering community connections and literacy for all ages while encouraging residents to donate, borrow, and share a wide variety of reading materials.

The Colonial Arts Center & CAC Gallery Present: 2025 Vandalia Arts Journal Exhibition

The CAC Gallery will host the inaugural exhibition of The Vandalia Arts Journal from April 25 to May 10, featuring WV Wesleyan College students’ literary and visual works.

Upshur County FFA members compete in the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest at the 2025 Beef Expo

Four Upshur County FFA members gained hands-on experience and new skills while competing in knowledge and evaluation events at the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest during the Beef Expo at WVU Jackson’s Mill.

Buckhannon Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda: May 28, 2025

The City of Buckhannon has released the agenda and public notice for its Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for May 28, 2025.

Baseball suffers losses to Point Pleasant and University

The Buckhannon-Upshur baseball team fell to Point Pleasant 8-5 then suffered a 16-0 shutout against University, dropping their record to 7-11.

Softball Lady Bucs take down Bearcats by an 8-3 score

Kynnedy Marple pitched a complete-game three-hitter and contributed offensively as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Grafton 8-3 in a Big 10 Conference softball game, improving the Lady Bucs’ record to 9-7.

Highland Landscaping takes week one lead in men’s golf league standings

Highland Landscaping claimed an early lead in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League, defeating Feola’s Flowers and topping the standings after the opening week of play.

Wesleyan misses out on MEC post season lacrosse tournament as seeds and pairings announced

West Virginia Wesleyan College did not qualify for the 2025 Mountain East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Tournament as seeds and pairings were announced Thursday, with play set to begin Sunday.

Wesleyan lacrosse ends year with 23-5 loss to Charleston

West Virginia Wesleyan women’s lacrosse fell 23-5 to Charleston in their final regular season game, with Charleston dominating offensively and outshooting Wesleyan 34-12 despite standout defensive efforts from Francesca Sloan and Emma Adcock.

Lady Buc lacrosse team downs Morgantown, 9-5

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 9-5 win over Morgantown, led by Mallory Moss’s four goals and Kylie Hull’s 16 saves.

Lacrosse Bucs cruise past St. Albans for third straight win, 12-2

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers won their third consecutive lacrosse game, defeating St. Albans 12-2, led by three-goal performances from Braylon Oldaker, Forest Catlin, and Tobias Marple.

Leadership Upshur to host free Community Skills Share event at Parish House

Leadership Upshur and the Upshur Parish House are inviting residents of all ages to a free Community Skills Share event on May 7, featuring practical workshops, demonstrations and door prizes to foster learning and community connection.