Bath Police arrest suspect in vandalism spree

A suspect in a vandalism spree downtown during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 13 has been arrested by the Berkeley Springs Police Department.

Gregory Bryan, 23, of Martinsburg Road, Berkeley Springs, was arrested Tuesday, May 18 and charged with felony destruction of property for using black spray paint to deface multiple buildings, vehicles and signs around town.

Damage was estimated at $3,535 and Bryan was arraigned before Magistrate Greg Miller, who set bail at $35,000. Bryan was transported to the Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg where he is awaiting trial.

According to the criminal complaint, properties that were vandalized included:
A building owned by Andrew Gosline at the corner of Independence and Green streets; a vehicle owned by John Dawson on South Green Street; a garage door owned by Aurora Stotler on Dawson Street; the church sign at the First United Methodist Church on Green Street; a vehicle belonging to Debra Avey on Martinsburg Road; two transport vans at the Senior Center and the Senior Center building itself; the Ice House on Independence Street; and a building owned by Cindy Hovermale on East Independence Street.

Multiple state speed limit and stop signs were also targeted by the vandals. The incidents were reported and statements of victims were taken by police, on Monday morning, May 14.

Police get break in case
Tony Lynch, former Bath Police Chief and owner of the Trading Post on Mercer Street, called Police Chief Craig Pearrell on May 15 and said he had a video of a male and female spray-painting buildings and signs on Independence Street, Pearrell said.

Pearrell spoke to the owner of Mike’s Garage on Independence Street and police retrieved a second video of the suspects from the garage.

According to the complaint, the videos show the suspects using the spray paint between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. on May 13.

Bath Police Officer Lance Marshall recognized the suspects and brought Bryan in for questioning. According to police, Bryan denied any involvement.

Officers Marshall and T.J. Johnson went to the suspect’s address where they interviewed a juvenile female who implicated Bryan, according to the criminal complaint by police.
Pearrell said more arrests are pending.