WELCH, W.Va. (AP) - State Police have arrested five men in connection with copper thefts that left one person missing and presumed dead.
Authorities arrested Dustin Bolen, 21; Justin Bolen, 22; Brandon Collins, 35; Steve Cordle, 38; and Jimmy Church Jr., 32, on Tuesday. They have been charged with grand larceny, conspiracy, transferring stolen property and trespassing.
In August, Justin Bolen, Collins, Cordle and 30-year-old Clay "C.J." Epperly became trapped in an abandoned mine. Three of the men were found by rescuers and brought out to safety, but Epperly was never found. He was eventually pronounced dead.
Senior Trooper B.D. Gillespie said the suspects had been stealing copper from the mine for months.
All five men are being held in the McDowell County Holding Facility on $50,000 bond each. It's unclear if they have attorneys.