MARKL

VALLEY HEAD – A Randolph County man faces a felony charge after alleging being found in possession of a stolen vehicle.

Regis Henry Markl III, 49, is charged with transferring or receiving a stolen vehicle, a felony. Markl is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $5,000 cash-only bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Trooper Andrew C. Jordon with the West Virginia State Police, on May 6, Jordon and Senior Trooper A.P. Petrella were contacted by Cpl. R.A. Wade in reference to a stolen vehicle, which was previously entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), being located at a residence on Lang Lane in Valley Head.

Prior to the officers’ arrival, Wade advised them that a woman had retrieved the stolen vehicle from the residence on Lang Lane with the intent to return it to the owner, the complaint states. In statements provided by the woman and the vehicle’s owner, they stated that the woman confronted Markl, who was allegedly in possession of the stolen vehicle. They both further stated that, after a “short argument,” the woman was able to retrieve the keys and drive it to Seneca Trail, where the vehicle’s owner and Wade were waiting.

Jordon, Petrella, Wade, Trooper Bonetti and Trooper First Class Chestnut all arrived at the residence on Lang Lane in an attempt to locate Markl, the complaint states. After a short search, Jordon was able to locate Markl, who was allegedly hiding in a wooded area near the residence. Markl was placed into custody without incident.

During a pat search, Jordon reportedly located a brown glass container in Markl’s right pocket, the complaint states. Inside the glass was a white ball “suspected to be cotton commonly co-located with illegal controlled substances.” Jordon field tested the suspected cotton ball, which reportedly resulted in a positive identification of both methamphetamine and fentanyl. Markl was then placed under arrest.