Trending
BUCKHANNON -- An Upshur County man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly entering a laundromat after hours and stealing around $100 from a quarters machine, as well as being found with methamphetamine on his person later on.
George Washington Foster, 44, is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of entering without breaking, both felonies. He is also charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, a misdemeanor. Foster is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
According to the criminal complaint, filed by Patrolman Cole Bender with the Buckhannon City Police Department, on Jan. 12, Bender was contacted by the owners of the SpeedWash Laundromat about a male subject, later allegedly identified as Foster, who had been entering the business after hours.
Bender was informed that the laundromat is locked after hours, and the facility's hours are "clearly displayed," the complaint states. Bender was also provided video footage from Jan. 10 which allegedly showed Foster going up to the laundromat door and "shaking it until it opens."
The business owners advised Bender that, by shaking the door, Foster caused the electric lock to fail, which allowed him access to the building, according to police.
The video footage then allegedly shows Foster letting Jonathan Michael Woody, 32, into the building, the complaint states. A second video that Bender was given allegedly showed Foster shaking the laundromat's quarter machine while Woody was reportedly "looking back at the entrance."
The business owners informed Bender that approximately $100 was taken from the machine, the complaint states.
Woody is also charged with one count of entering without breaking and one count of conspiracy, both felonies. Probable cause was found against Woody on Jan. 23, moving his case forward to the Upshur County Grand Jury. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $20,000 property/surety bond.
According to a second criminal complaint filed by Bender, on Jan. 25, Bender observed Foster walking on South Florida Street.
Aware of the active warrant out for Foster, Bender stopped him and placed him under arrest, the complaint states.
Foster allegedly advised Bender that he had a needle on him. Bender retrieved the needle and transported Foster to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Guards at the jail conducted a search of Foster's person and allegedly located a small baggie of methamphetamine weighing approximately 0.5 grams stuffed into a pocket in Foster's jeans, the complaint states.
A preliminary hearing for Foster has been scheduled for Feb. 4 in Upshur County Magistrate Court.