Wanted Fayetteville man found hiding in garage crawl space

FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A wanted man was found hiding in a garage crawl space, and a woman was caught lying and harboring him as a fugitive.

At around 5:48 AM on August 7, 2024, Cpl. N.D. Hall of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department received a dispatch from the Fayette County Office of Emergency Services regarding a trespassing complaint in Fayetteville , Fayette County, West Virginia 25840.

Upon arrival, the complainant informed me that Jimmie Don Smith Jr. was inside the garage/apartment connected to the residence. The complainant indicated that Mr. Smith was wanted and was currently in the garage with his girlfriend.

Additionally, the complainant noted that their truck had been parked in a field below the garage since approximately 9:30 PM on August 6, 2024.

The deputy was aware that Mr. Smith had an active parole violation. Based on the complainant’s information, the deputy proceeded to the door indicated by the witness.

The door was locked and made of metal. Unsure if Mr. Smith was armed, the deputy called for additional units to assist. When the backup units arrived, they entered the apartment area of the garage and found a woman identified as Harmony L. Waters.

Ms. Waters claimed she had not seen Jimmie Smith for about two weeks and stated that she was the sole occupant of the apartment. After conducting a primary search for Mr. Smith, the deputy discovered a wooden access door leading from the main floor to the area beneath the apartment.

Outside, he observed a white male hiding in a crawl space, who was identified as Jimmie Don Smith Jr. He was taken into custody without incident, and Ms. Waters was arrested for harboring a fugitive.

Both individuals were then transported to the Fayetteville Road office for processing.