ONE SUSPECT remains at large while two are in custody in an alleged attempted breaking and entering of an apartment in Martins Ferry on Thursday.
Still at large is Amanda J. Och of Moundsville. A male juvenile was taken into custody by the Bridgeport Police after the car in which the three were fleeing, crashed in Wheeling.
On Thursday, James L. Jeter Jr., 40, of 3409 Franklin St., Bellaire, was arrested by Martins Ferry Police. He was booked into the Belmont County Jail on charges of breaking and entering and a capias.
No bond was set. Additional charges are pending, according to police.
According to information at the Martins Ferry Police Department, two black males broke into an apartment and that a female was reported to be with them. Witnesses saw the three leave the apartment in a blue car with Ohio registration.
Bridgeport police were in pursuit of the vehicle into West Virginia, and within minutes, it crashed in the area of 16th and Wood streets in Wheeling.
The juvenile was taken into custody by Bridgeport Police, and he is currently being held in Wheeling. Police said he was treated at Ohio Valley Medical Center for injuries he received in the crash.
A witness reportedly saw the male and female get out of the car following the crash and they ran into the weeds. Officers searched the area but the suspects were not found.
It was reported that a weapon may have been used in the incident. The suspects face charges of aggravated burglary, armed with a deadly weapon, dangerous ordnance and aggravated menacing.
Martins Ferry Police Ch ief John McFarland said the victim wa able to identify thes uspects and told officers Och and Jeter had been committing similar crimes in the recent past. The victim also said Jeter and the juvenile had handguns during the incident. Wheeling police said officers found no guns during their search of the crash site and the vehicle.
If anyone has information on Och's whereabouts they are asked to call Martins Ferry Police at (740) 633-2121.
