Police: Man sought on felony shoplifting offenses tries to flee on bike

Monica Zalaznik
March 14, 2021

BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County man was arrested recently after allegedly fleeing from an officer on a bike and shoplifting from the Buckhannon Sheetz.

Daniel Strawder, 33, of Buckhannon, was arrested Thursday on five charges: three counts of shoplifting third offense, a felony; fleeing from an officer, a misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a misdemeanor. Strawder is listed as homeless.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Patrolman Angel McCauley with the Buckhannon Police Department, on Friday, March 11, while conducting regular patrol, McCauley saw Strawder riding his bike on West Main Street. She radioed the E911 Upshur Comm Center and was able to verify that he had an active warrant. After confirming Strawder reportedly had multiple felony warrants from the Buckhannon Police and West Virginia State Police, McCauley told Strawder he was being placed under arrest.

According to the report, he refused to get off his bike and pedaled off. McCauley watched him go in the alley behind Chase Bank. After several sightings, Cpl. Marshall O’Connor, also with the BPD, was able to cut him off at South Florida Street, next to the playground. McCauley arrived on the scene and Strawder was placed in cuffs and searched for weapons. While conducting the search, methamphetamine was allegedly found in his left pocket, along with several needles.

In February, McCauley spoke to Marsha Williston at Sheetz in Buckhannon and was told that Strawder had allegedly shoplifted multiple items over the past couple of weeks. According to the report, Strawder took a Mountain Dew and milk the men’s restroom and returned empty-handed. He then walked out the front door and left on his bike without paying for any merchandise. The total taken was $6.27, the police report says.

Strawder had prior convictions of shoplifting on Jan. 15, 2021 and a no-contest plea for shoplifting second offense Jan. 15, 2021.

Bail was set at $5,000.

The penalty for each third-offense shoplifting third count is a fine of up to $500 and confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 10 years. The penalty for fleeing from an officer is a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confinement in jail for not more than one year or both. The penalty for possession of meth is confinement in jail for not less than 90 days nor more than six months or a fine of not more than $1,000 or both.