A magistrate delayed arraigning Mark Murphy II on a burglary charge Wednesday after a physician said Murphy was too intoxicated to understand the court process.
Murphy, 22, of Wheeling already was suspected of burglarizing one home when the victim of that burglary called police around 7 a.m. Wednesday and said he had seen Murphy in the backyard of a Clay Avenue residence.
Police arrived on the scene to find the caller had stopped Murphy. The man told officers he witnessed Murphy inside his home earlier that morning. He said Murphy fled the scene after he confronted him.
Officers subsequently searched Murphy and found a holstered gun under his shirt. Murphy reportedly claimed he was in the process of receiving his concealed carry permit. Police also recovered about $800 and numerous pieces of gold jewelry from Murphy, among other items.
Meanwhile, a woman at a nearby residence told police her home had been burglarized as well. Officers observed the woman's bedroom had been "rummaged through," the report states. She identified most of the money found on Murphy as belonging to her, and officers located the keys to Murphy's car in the woman's basement.
On the physician's recommendation, Radcliffe waited until Wednesday afternoon to arraign Murphy on two counts of felony burglary. As of late Thursday, Murphy remained in the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville in lieu of $500,000 bond.
