PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — A bizarre theft case ended in two arrests after a Paintsville couple tried to get the password for a stolen laptop directly from its owners.
According to police, the victims of a recent burglary on Bridge Street reported that two people contacted them, claiming to have their stolen laptop. The suspects invited the victims to a motel room and asked them to remove the password so they could use the device.
Instead of showing up themselves, the victims alerted Paintsville Police, who went to the motel. Inside, officers found Brian Keith Gatewood, 33, and Shasta Nicole Daniels, 32, along with the stolen laptop.
Police say they also discovered a bag of meth, a jar of Suboxone, stolen property from other thefts, and a check made out by a Salyersville doctor to the victim’s business — but endorsed by Gatewood.
In an interview, Gatewood allegedly admitted to breaking into three homes, stealing items, possessing the drugs, and attempting to cash the stolen check. He was charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, identity theft, and drug possession, among other counts.
Daniels was not charged in connection with the theft but was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor assault case from May.
Both suspects are being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
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