Clear Fork residents help find suspect in alleged steel theft

CLEAR FORK, WV (WVNS) — A man was caught allegedly stealing metal from a railroad trestle on the Clear Fork Rails to Trails in Raleigh County in late July, all thanks to a group of neighbors.

Members of the Clear Fork Neighborhood Crime Watch saw a man in a company truck removing the steel last week, Raleigh County Commission President Greg Duckworth said on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

The suspect is identified as Daniel Frank of Whitesville, according to a criminal complaint.

President Duckworth said neighbors reported that the suspect had covered the truck’s company logo before making off with steel from the nearby trestle.

“Folks who live down there noticed something that was out of place,” said Duckworth. “They made some phone calls to police. The police showed up and caught the bad guys. It was the community working together at their best.”

Members of the Clear Fork Neighborhood Crime Watch have told 59News they want more police patrol in their rural neighborhoods.

The director of Raleigh County Parks and Recreation, Molly Williams, said on Tuesday that she was still assessing how the financial loss could impact construction of the trail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.