Beech Tree News Network

While City of Morgantown maintenance employees were working at a pavilion at Charles Black Park on Monday, November 23, 2015, Brian Jones walked up to where a City pickup truck was parked, got in it and drove off.  They keys were left in the vehicle since it was parked in close proximity to where the employees were working.  According to Brad Johnson, Maintenance Supervisor, Jones drove through the walking track towards Helm Lane so he could exit the park, in an attempt to stop Jones, Harold Deweese, City of Morgantown Maintenance employee, drove to Helm Lane to block Jones’ route. 

When Jones got to where there was an exit from the walking track, he struck the vehicle Harold Deweese was in instead of stopping.  Mr. Deweese said, “Jones slowed as he approached Helm Lane, but when he got closer to the road, he sped and hit the front drivers’ side of the truck and continued onto Helm Lane.”

Sometime during his “joy-ride”, Jones picked up his wife, Mandi Chaney, and fled the City.  With the assistance of citizens of Morgantown calling dispatch to report seeing the truck, police were able to locate it- unoccupied- at the boat ramp in Woodbury.  After a search of the area by Chief Charles Swiney, Morgantown Police and Jailer Terry Fugate, Chief Deputy Jailer Rocky Tyree and Deputy Jailer Travis Fugate of the Butler County Jail, Jones and his wife were located hiding in the tree-line along the Green River approximately 100 yards from where the truck was abandoned. 
Brian Jones and wife, Mandi Chaney, were taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Butler County Jail. 

Brian Jones was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking (auto) over $10,000, Wanton Endangerment 1st, and Criminal Mischief 1st, and Harassment. 

Mandi Chaney was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking (auto) over $10,000 (complicity), Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) and Criminal Mischief 1st (complicity).  Chaney also was served with an outstanding Butler County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear.
The Morgantown Police Department was assisted by employees of the Butler County Jail.