Morgantown Police Arrest Suspect For Possession of Stolen Property

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – At approximately, 1 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2020 Morgantown Police were notified that a suspect wanted in connection with a stolen vehicle from New Jersey was in the Morgantown area. Officers were also made aware that the suspect had a history of violence and may be in possession of a firearm.

At approximately 4 a.m. on Oct. 15 officers located the stolen vehicle at a residence on West Virginia Avenue. Officers observed the residence for several hours for signs of the suspect and were ultimately able to confirm that the suspect was at the residence.

At approximately 1 p.m., officers entered the residence with the permission of the homeowner and found the suspect Robert Michael Rye, 31 years of age, of Morgantown, hiding under the basement stairs inside the residence. Rye was taken into custody without incident and officers did not locate a firearm on his person. Rye was charged with possession of stolen property and has an outstanding warrant in Preston County for felony destruction of property.

Authority – Interim Chief Eric Powell
Morgantown Police Department

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