Editor’s note: This story was updated at 7:50 p.m. to add additional details about the apprehension of the subject.
Area police have found a Virginia man who stole a Morgan County Sheriff’s cruiser at roughly 12:30 p.m. today, Thursday, August 19 and eluded officers, hiding out in a wooded area near Spielman Road, Eppinger Road and Winchester Grade Road.
Sheriff K.C. Bohrer reported that the male suspect had been apprehended after 7 p.m. by officers who had created a perimeter around the area where the man was believed to have fled. No one was injured during the arrest.
According to Sheriff Bohrer, Sgt. Scott Lemon was dispatched earlier in the day to respond to a reported theft on Spielman Road outside of Berkeley Springs. He met with two individuals who complained of the theft, and during his investigation determined they were both wanted from Frederick County, Va. on felony drug charges. Sgt. Lemon placed the pair under arrest and in his patrol SUV.
According to Bohrer, the male suspect – a Foster Crouse Miller Jr., 42, of Middletown, Va. – was handcuffed and placed in the front of the cruiser and the female – Victoria C. White, 26 – was placed in the rear of the vehicle.
Police said White was removed from the patrol SUV at one point to assist Sgt. Lemon with the Ford truck they had been traveling in.
At that time, Miller drove off in Lemon’s 2019 Dodge Durango. The female suspect remained with Sgt. Lemon.
Sheriff Bohrer, Capt. Tim Stapleton and Sgt. Nazelrod of the West Virginia State Police initially responded to the area to assist.
A broadcast was put out on the stolen police vehicle to area units in the Eastern Panhandle and also Virginia and Maryland.
Approximately twenty minutes after the suspect fled in the patrol SUV, Sgt. Nazelrod found the stolen vehicle on Eppinger Road, said Bohrer.
Miller was not near the vehicle.
Police units responded from Hampshire and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Departments, Frederick County Sheriff’s Department, Eastern Panhandle Violent Crime Task Force, Martinsburg City Police, Morgan County Deputy Reserves and West Virginia State Police from several area counties.
Chief Deputy Walter and bloodhound “Sam” attempted K9 tracking. Chief Walter coordinated other K9 units to search from Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department and Frederick County (Va.) Sheriff’s Department.
Several hours later, officers were able to apprehend Miller. Sheriff Bohrer said eight officers and six to eight civilians assisted in the search of the wooded area. The sheriff said members of the public helped the department by reporting sightings of Miller in the area, offering the use of ATVS and their own manpower to search for the suspect. Bohrer said Miller was still handcuffed when he was taken into custody.
White was charged as a fugitive from justice and is currently incarcerated in the Eastern Regional Jail with no bond.
Miller is in custody and charges are pending against him for felony grand larceny, among other crimes.
