South Charleston, WV – Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office deputies made two arrests at the same South Charleston business within three days following separate reports of criminal activity, according to officials.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, deputies from the Patrol and Field Operations Division B-Shift responded to a reported break-in at Mazzella Quarries. Detective Keadle, who was already investigating an earlier larceny at the site, arrived within minutes and detained a suspect identified as Joshua Clendenin, 35, of Alum Creek, WV. Clendenin was arrested for Breaking and Entering, deputies said.
Two days later, on Sunday, January 11, Sgt. Coleman returned to the same business after the property owner reported another suspicious person. Deputies located the suspect near a nearby creek after an associate blocked his vehicle. Investigators allege he had removed two antique copper radiators from the property and was attempting to steal them. The suspect, Brian Elswick, 45, of Charleston, WV, was charged with Attempted Grand Larceny.
Authorities credited quick coordination between Patrol and Field Operations Division B-Shift deputies and Detective Keadle for resolving both incidents swiftly. Assistance was provided by Deputy H. Burdette, Deputy Murphy, WV State Police Trooper A. Kirk, and the South Charleston Police Department.
Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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