On Nov.9, three separate Boone County residences were broken into, leading investigators to the arrest of Kenneth Lee Nickoson, 41, of Gordon, who they arrested on charges of burglary and grand larceny.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the Magistrate Court of Boone County, on Nov. 9, Trooper J. Jaclyn McClung responded to a complaint of a burglary in Ashford. The victim, Jackie Williams, stated that he returned home to find that their side door had been forced open, according to the complaint.

Williams told Trooper McClung that his Savage model rifle with a Simmons scope valued at $475, which had been leaning against his gun safe, was missing, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, Williams further stated that a blue briefcase containing old coins, money, and his wife’s original wedding bands and engagement ring was missing.

Williams told Trooper McClung that although the items in the case were priceless to him, the monetary value was approximately $2000, according to the complaint.

The complaint states that more than $1000 of jewelry was also taken from Mrs. Williams’ jewelry box.

On the same day, Trooper McClung was called to a second burglary in the Ashford area.

In this burglary, Trooper McClung noted that the back door had been forced open, allowing the thief, or thieves, access to the residence, according to the report.

The victim, Phillip Latorre, told Trooper McClung that he and his wife returned home and found that someone had been inside their home and stole a 19-inch black plasma television that was brand new and valued at $349.99, according to the criminal complaint.

Additionally, the thief had taken off with a Glaesel violin valued at more than $752, according to the complaint.

A third call came in that evening of an attempted burglary. According to the criminal complaint, that same evening, Nickoson and two or three other unknown persons entered a home after knocking and getting no answer.

However, Angie Viars was home and caught the burglars inside the residence, according to the complaint.

Viars obtained a description of the vehicle they were driving and provided a license plate number to Trooper McClung, according to court documents.

Investigators soon located the owner of the vehicle, who told investigators that he had seen Nickoson with the blue briefcase and stated that Nickoson had told him that a lady had caught him in her home and then he outran the police in Marmet, according to court documents.

Nickoson is being held at the Southwestern Regional Jail on a $20,000 surety, or $2000 cash bail. If found guilty of burglary, he faces one to 10 years in jail. If found guilty of grand larceny, he could face one to 10 years in jail, or at the discretion of the court up to $2500 fine and up to one year in jail.

Contact Joanie Newman at jnewman@coalvalleynews.com or call 304-369-1165.