Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
A Pineville man faces several theft charges after a recent alleged burglary attempt.
Justin D. Mason, 24 of Pineville, was charged with eight counts of receiving stolen property (firearm) and one count receiving stolen property under $10,000.
Deputies from the Bell County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint from an alleged victim in the Page Cut-Off area of Bell County in regards to an alleged burglary. When the deputies arrived, 19 guns were missing along with $2,500 cash, a bag of old coins and a case knife collection.
On the day of the complaint, officers retrieved five guns stashed in the weeds near the victims house.
The victim gave Mason’s name as a possible suspect to the alleged crime. The deputies tracked Mason down and questioned him about the alleged burglary. Mason initially denied knowing anything about the incident.
Mason was eventually arrested on separate charges for operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license, no/expired registration plates, no/expired Kentucky registration receipt and possession of marijuana. The arresting officer was deputy Shane Stewart.
After being arrested, Mason gave officers information about the stolen items. Deputies executed a search warrant on Mason’s apartment and retrieved eight guns, the coins and the knives.
Deputies later recovered two guns from Middlesboro, two guns that were hid in the woods behind Mason’s father’s house and one pistol that was sold to a man in Straight Creek. The only items that remain missing are a .38-caliber pistol and the $2,500 cash.
The investigation revolving around the alleged burglary still continues with several charges pending.
If anyone has information surrounding the burglary or any criminal activity, contact Stewart or deputy BJ Brock at shane.stewart@bellcountykysheriff.com or bj.brock@bellcountykysheriff.com. Individuals can also call the Bell County Sheriff’s Department at (606)-337-3102.
Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at 606-248-1010 ext. 208.
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