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ELKINS -- A Randolph County man faces a grand larceny charge after allegedly stealing medical equipment from a local church.
Stephen Gaylord Hinkle, 55, is charged with one count of grand larceny. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $15,000 10% cash bond set by Randolph County Magistrate Tracy Harper.
According to the criminal complaint, filed by Corporal R.A. Summerfield with the Elkins Police Department, on June 17, Summerfield was dispatched to the Elkins Family Worship Center on Taylor Avenue in Elkins in reference to theft.
Upon arrival, Summerfield spoke with the church’s secretary, the complaint states. She told Summerfield that, on May 16, the automated external defibrillator (AED) machine was beeping so they needed to replace it. When they went to replace the battery on May 31, they discovered that the AED machine was missing.
On June 16, members of the church found the AED machine case in the alley behind the church on top of a trash bin. The secretary also stated there had been a male subject in the church on May 26. After receiving a description of the man, officers were reportedly able to identify him as Hinkle.
On June 22, Summerfield observed Hinkle walking on South Davis Avenue and he had Hinkle come to the Elkins Police Department to be interviewed, the complaint states. After being read his Miranda Rights and stating that he understood his rights, Hinkle allegedly admitted that he did take the AED machine from the church while he had been looking for Galls bandages. He also allegedly stated that he gave the machine to another person.
The AED machine was valued at $1,549, the complaint states.