Published: September 23, 2008 02:45 pm         

Fort Ashby burglaries at businesses, church

FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — West Virginia State Police and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department investigated burglaries of several businesses, a church and the community building in Fort Ashby on Tuesday.

Proprietors opening for business discovered entry or attempted entries that occurred either late Monday or early Tuesday. Doors and windows were forced open to gain entry into the businesses, police said.

State police at Keyser investigated break-ins at Grady’s One-Stop convenience store, The Perky Bean Restaurant and Gain’s service station.

The Methodist church and Fort Ashby Books were entered and unsuccessful attempts were made to enter the Baptist church and the public library, according to one of the victims who was interviewed by police.

The sheriff’s department investigated several other burglaries.

“It’s unfortunate. We are all small businesses and we work hard. The most disturbing thing is that they broke into a church. It’s a shame,” said Donna Class, owner of The Perky Bean.

Class said her business was entered by removing an air conditioner from a window to gain access to the restaurant. Money was then removed from the cash register.

Anyone with information about the crimes is urged to call West Virginia State Police at (304) 788-1101 or Mineral County Sheriff’s Department at (304) 788-0441.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.