After watching a house on West Virginia Avenue for several hours the Morgantown Police Department entered it and found a man wanted in connection with a stolen vehicle from New Jersey.
Interim Chief Eric Powell said Robert Michael Rye, 31, of Morgantown, is charged with possession of stolen property. He also has a warrant in Preston County for felony destruction of property.
The MPD was notified Rye was in the Morgantown area on Wednesday afternoon, Powell said. They were also told he had a history of violence and could have a gun.
Officers found the stolen vehicle outside the West Virginia Avenue home about 4 a.m. on Thursday. The house was observed for “several hours” for signs of the suspect, Powell said.
About 1 p.m. Wednesday, officers entered the house with the homeowner’s permission and found Rye hiding under the basement stairs, Powell said. He was taken into custody without incident and did not have a firearm.
