Fourth suspect connected to an ATV theft ring arrested

MORGANTOWN — The last of four men wanted in connection with an ATV theft ring was arrested Saturday.
Steven Keith Waybright, 24, of Bretz, was charged with fleeing with reckless indifference, destruction of property and receiving or transferring stolen property and conspiracy.
Fleeing with reckless indifference is a felony with a sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $2,000. Destruction of property valued at more than $2,500 carries a fine of not more than $2,500 or one to 10 years in prison, or, in the court’s discretion, up to a year in jail, or fined and imprisoned.
Receiving or transferring stolen property carries a larceny penalty based on value; for more than $1,000 the charge follows the grand larceny statutory sentence of one to 10 years in prison, and/or up to a $2,500 fine, or, at the discretion of the court, not more than a year in jail and not more than a $2,500 fine. Felony conspiracy is punishable by one to five years in prison and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.
Last week, William Thomas III was arrested in Chattanooga, Tenn. Justin James Blosser and David Edward Leon Waybright were arrested Wednesday and charged with being part of a group that stole ATVs throughout the area. Thomas and Steven Waybright are listed in court records as also being involved with the thefts.
According to criminal complaints:
June 10, a trooper with the West Virginia State Police was following up on reports of stolen ATVs. The trooper discovered multiple stolen ATVs without serial numbers. One of them was identified as stolen from Newburg.
The home owner, David Waybright, said he knew the ATV was stolen and he bought it from Willard Thomas III, Steven Waybright and Justin Blosser.
June 12, a Preston County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the Bretz area looking for a red Ford F-150. The truck was found parked behind a home and after seeing the deputy’s vehicle, the truck backed into the yard and hit a tree.
The deputy turned on his emergency lights and the truck starting moving forward and crashed head-on into the deputy’s cruiser. The deputy recognized the driver of the truck as Waybright.
Steven then drove through a wooded area onto Main Street in Bretz with the deputy in pursuit. He ran two stop signs and turned west onto W.Va. 7, refusing to stop. Driving against traffic, he nearly hit a tractor-and-trailer outside of a store in Masontown before turning right near the block plant. He crashed into a small patch of woods and ran away on foot.
The deputy’s car had to be towed with estimated damage at more than $2,500.