That’s what Magistrate Jeff Lane learned firsthand when scam artists stole items from his home during a recent yard sale.
Logan County Magistrate Jeff Lane said he and his wife were preparing for a yard sale one weekend when an individual he knew walked up with a female companion who asked for a drink of water and to use the restroom.
"Grover Adams walked up with a woman and she had asked for a drink of water and to use the bathroom," Lane said, explaining that while the woman (later identified as Lori Ann Stevenson, 28, of Chapmanville) was in the bathroom, Grover Adams told him "Uh, Jeff, I don't know her I just met her."
Lane said he became concerned at that point. Later that evening his wife told him that her make up and some items were missing from the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.
"And of course, when I woke up the next day and went to shave, I found that my razor and replacement blades were gone too, so Monday morning, I came down here to the courthouse and filled out a criminal complaint like any other victim would," Lane said, explaining that he later learned Stevenson was already in jail facing grand larceny charges from an incident in Boone County.
"Boone County will be picking up the tab on her jail bill," Lane said.
Lane has recused himself from Stevenson’s case.
Stevenson 28, of Chapmanville, was charged with petit larceny by Deputy J.L. Mathis of the Logan County Sheriff's Department. Stevenson was already in jail when the new charge was filed.
According to the police report on Sept. 3, Stevenson went to the residence of Lane and asked to use the restroom.
"After the defendant exited the residence, they noticed that several items had been taken," the report states, listing two compacts, a tube of toothpaste, one hair gel, one Gillette Fusion razor one four pack of Fusion razors, total value of the items being listed at $48.
Stevenson's companion had already faced Lane in magistrate court not long after petit larceny charges were filed against her.
Grover Scott Adams, 38, of Chapmanville, was arrested on March 3 in Logan County by West Virginia State Police Trooper G.W. Collins for grand larceny (automobile) and driving on a revoked license on March 3.
According to police reports, the victim told Trooper Collins that Adams allegedly traded vehicles with her two months ago and showed him a bill of sale, and later took the car back.
Adams is accused of going to the victim’s residence and stealing the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo back. Adams was located a short time later driving the vehicle, the report states.
Adams license had been previously revoked due to a DUI.
Adams was booked at the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden at 6:30 a.m.
Lane arraigned Adams on Wednesday and explained to him that he faced 1-10 years in prison if found guilty of his latest alleged misdeed, which involved the misappropriated automobile.
"I am going to set a $5,000 bond," Lane said, explaining to Adams that he couldn't just release him as Adams was already on probation when he got in trouble this time.
"You are facing a probation violation too," Lane explained.
Adams then told Lane his mother was expected to die within three days, "and I don't want her to see me wearing jailhouse orange," Adams said, adding that he thought he only had a few days left on his older charge. Lane then explained that by getting in trouble again, Adams faced having to serve the entire sentence on his earlier charge.
Adams then told Lane that he didn't want to go to his mother’s funeral in a jail inmate's uniform.
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