A Summers County man was arrested on Monday, March 15, after allegedly breaking into a Hinton residence and stealing two cellular telephones. Steven Joseph Raines, 30, has been charged with petit larceny, and one-count of burglary.
On Friday, March 12, officers responded to a Hinton residence to investigate reports of two stolen cellular telephones. The victim advised officers that Steven Joseph Raines had “broken into her residence, searched through her belongings and then stole two of her cell phones before leaving”.
The victim further stated that she had been “home alone with the door locked” when Raines used a knife to force the door open. Once inside, Raines allegedly said, “it was too late”. Raines reportedly then began searching through the victims belongings, before taking the cellular phones and leaving.
The value of the stolen property was reported to be $1,200.
On Saturday, March 13, officers located Raines on 2nd. Avenue in Hinton, and questioned him regarding the alleged breaking and entering.
According to the criminal complaint, Raines admitted to having multiple phones in his possession, telling officers that they “could take all of them”.
Officers found three cellular telephones on Raines’ person, two of which matched the description of the phones stolen from the victim’s residence, including one with a matching serial number. Raines further allegedly admitted to being in the victim’s residence the previous day. However, Raines denied breaking into her home and stealing her belongings.
At the time of his arrest, officers report that Raines had “multiple fixed blade kitchen knives” in his possession.
Steven Joseph Raines is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail on a $12,500 cash-only bail.
