Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that Deputy Kyle Gray has charged two individuals on January 28, 2016, following a joint investigation conducted by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, London Police Department, Whitley County Sheriff's Department, Williamsburg Police Department, and Kentucky State Police.
The two individuals were being sought by area law enforcement agencies regarding numerous vehicles being broken into and purses and other items being stolen from the vehicles in the Laurel and Whitley County area. In addition, these individuals allegedly used stolen credit/debit cards taken out of the stolen purses making purchases at area retail stores.
During the course of the investigation, Deputy Gray found a witness who had been able to get the License Plate information off the suspect vehicle--a blue van --that had been spotted at all the area thefts. That information was distributed to all other law enforcement agencies in the area.
Two of the suspects that were arrested by London City Police while executing a search warrant at Emma Place Apartments off American Greeting Card Road, in southern Laurel County, were being sought by Deputy Gray on warrants that he obtained.
Deputy Gray has charged Joshua Cain Buchanan, age 35, George Martin Drive, Pineville, KY, charging him with five counts of theft by unlawful taking, three counts of receiving stolen property, three counts of criminal mischief third-degree, forgery second-degree, theft of identity, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Also arrested was William Phillip North, age 35, of Jones Ave., Pineville, KY, charged with three counts of theft by unlawful taking, two counts of criminal mischief third-degree, receiving stolen property, and forgery second-degree.
A large number of vehicle break-ins was solved by Deputy Gray including a vehicle broken into at Hillcrest Nursing Home off American Greeting Card Road, a vehicle broken into at Levi Jackson State Park near the duck pond, a vehicle broken into at a tanning salon in southern Laurel County, a vehicle broken into at McVay's tanning salon in southern Laurel County, 2 vehicles broken into at Cracker Barrel restaurant in southern Laurel County, and a vehicle broken into at Lily Holiness Church -- for a total of 8 different cases solved by Deputy Gray's investigation.
In addition, Deputy Gray advises that more charges are expected as more victims are identified from previous investigations conducted by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office where these two subjects were suspects.
Both individuals are lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Photos attached are courtesy of the Laurel County Detention Center.
