ARTHURDALE, W.Va. — Police from Preston and Monongalia Counties searched late into the night for a wanted felon who ran from officers, stole a car and then abandoned it.
Mark Hart is wanted on several felony warrants, according to Preston Chief Deputy P.A. Pritt. Preston Sheriff’s Capt. J.H. Bryan said Deputy Hovatter was patrolling on W.Va. 92 in Arthurdale about 4 p.m. Tuesday when he saw Hart walking along the road near West Preston School. Knowing Hart has “numerous” outstanding warrants, he tried to stop him.
Hart fled on foot, Bryan said. The deputy chased Hart on foot to a pond, where Hart stripped to his boxers and swam across, evading the officer, Bryan said.
Several other deputies, K-9 Samson and the Reedsville Police officer joined the search. Hart was spotted in the woods behind West Preston School, then seen on CR Road in Arthurdale.
It was there that he stole a 2009 Subaru wagon after the woman who owned it got out of the car and went into her home. She was not injured, Bryan said.
Police caught sight of him in the car on CR Road and pursued Hart onto Mountainview Road before he eluded them. West Virginia State Police found the car abandoned on Cobun Creek Road, in Mon County.
