BUCKHANNON – A Nicholas County man and an Upshur County woman were arrested for allegedly stealing copper from a building at a location referred to as Terrace Avenue in Upshur County.
Seth Imhoff, 36, of Summersville, was arrested for conspiracy, a felony, and entry of a building other than a dwelling, a misdemeanor. Michelle Tomey, 27, of Buckhannon was arrested for conspiracy, a felony.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Trooper First Class P.J. Robinette with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police on July 4, 2022, at approximately 8:16 a.m., Imhoff allegedly entered a building with the “physical address of 5 Terrace Avenue” without breaking. The police report says Imhoff allegedly entered the building by a hole, which had previously been cut into the wall and subsequently stole copper from within.
Imhoff was reportedly captured on film committing the act and later allegedly admitted to his actions during a recorded interview with another state police trooper.
During the investigation, it was determined Imhoff was with his girlfriend, Tomey, during the time of the theft and law enforcement officers allege she had prior knowledge of items inside the building. Tomey allegedly waited outside while Imhoff entered the building and then used her car to transport the stolen copper.
Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder set bail at $20,000 cash or surety for Imhoff and $10,000 cash or surety for Tomey.
The potential penalty for a conviction of entry of a building other than a dwelling is a fine of up to $100 and confinement in the regional jail for two to 12 months.
The potential penalty for a conviction of felony conspiracy is confinement in the state penitentiary for one to 10 years.
