Skeens

ELKINS – A Randolph County man faces a felony charge after allegedly entering a home and attacking two people inside to “obtain a debt.”

Larry Michael Skeens, 54, is charged with one count of burglary, a felony. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper H.J. Bonetti with the West Virginia State Police, on May 9, Bonetti and Trooper R.K. Stewart were dispatched to “a battery” at a residence on Orchard Street in Elkins.

Upon arrival, the officers made contact with the alleged victims, the complaint states. The male alleged victim reportedly advised officers that Skeens had knocked on their door. When the male alleged victim opened the door, Skeens entered the residence and began “physically attacking” the male alleged victim and the other alleged victim, a woman. The male alleged victim was reportedly struck by Skeen “multiple times” while the female alleged victim was hit once in “the facial region.” Bonetti observed injuries on both alleged victims and took photographs.

While Skeens was reportedly in a physical altercation with the male alleged victim, the female alleged victim went to a neighbor’s house, the complaint states. Two more individuals then arrived at the residence and Skeens allegedly began a physical altercation with one of them. Both individuals were able to detain Skeens until the Elkins Police Department arrived on the scene.

Bonetti writes that he allegedly observed Skeens to have “bloodshot watery eyes” and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Skeen’s breath. Skeens reportedly provided a sample with a Blood Alcohol Count (BAC) of 0.130.

Skeens reportedly told Bonetti that he had traveled to the Orchard Street residence to collect a debt from the male alleged victim, the complaint states. Skeens said he knocked on the door “for approximately 10 minutes,” and when the male alleged victim opened the door, Skeens began a physical altercation with him. Bonetti writes in the complaint that Skeens had traveled to the Orchard Street residence and entered “with the intent to obtain a debt.”