| By Bob Weaver
The Glenville Police Department and the Glenville Democrat newspaper are upset over how Calhoun authorities handled a recent incident involving two youth's stealing a tractor-trailer in Harrison County.
Glenville Police Lt. Sam Cutlip told the Hur Herald "I had to do everything, they did nothing," apparently referring to other agencies involved in a slow-speed chase which ended in Grantsville.
Glenville Democrat editor David Corcoran, in a scathing attack, accused Calhoun authorities of not being prepared for such an incident, saying it was a "possible dereliction of duty," calling their actions "inexcusable and deplorable."
He blamed Calhoun officials, including the Calhoun Magistrate. Calhoun officials were not contacted by the newspaper regarding the situation.
Calhoun Sheriff Carl Ballengee said Lt. Cutlip attempted to stop the tractor-trailer in Glenville. "The State Police and myself were just responding to a call to assist him," he said. "We were just trying to help out."
Ballengee was returning during the early morning hours from taking a mental hygiene commitment to another county when he learned of the incident.
Corcoran told the Herald he published his comments after reading a police report and talking with Glenville Police Chief John Moss and Lt. Cutlip. Both officers denied talking with Corcoran.
The police report was obtained from Chief Moss through an FOIA. The report said "Prosecutor Minney called the DHHR worker to take custody of the two boys."
"I was concerned for the safety of the youths," said Corcoran, who claims Calhoun officials were re-miss in not taking charge of the juveniles, pushing the duty on Lt. Cutlip "who works on the small city of Glenville's nickel."
He said the officer had little sleep and was "saddled with the time-consuming and expensive chore of returning the boys to Harrison County for arraignment."
The 15-year-old juveniles left a Harrison detention center, stole the rig and drove it across several counties at a top speed of 35-miles-per hour.
The Gilmer County Sheriff's Department, the State Police and Grantsville Police chief Ron Gordon also participated in trying to stop the run-a-ways.
They were caught in Grantsville, after the vehicle was lodged by a storefront awning.
Lt. Cutlip said he wrote a report regarding his views over "excessive force" used by Trooper 1st Class Jeff Hunt of the Grantsville detachment.
Officers were unaware of who might be in the vehicle after it got stuck, or if weapons were involved. They became concerned when the suspects would not exit the vehicle. It was then when he used pepper spray, after which the youths exited.
The Glenville Police Department did not provide their report on "excessive force," although it was requested using the FOIA,
nor did Lt. Cutlip say if he approved or disapproved of the pepper spray.
Grantsville's chief Ron Gordon said Lt. Cutlip volunteered to take the juveniles for arraignment in Harrison County, after the DHHR worker felt it would be unsafe for her to transport the pair in her car.
The juvenile detention center in Harrison County said they did not want them returned to their facility.
"I didn't know there was a problem," said Gordon. "I did my job," saying he had been up over 18 hours. He said the primary crime of grand larceny was committed in Harrison County and the juveniles were in the custody of DHHR.
Lt. Cutlip said Glenville editor Corcoran "Sometimes misspeaks."
Sheriff Ballengee said he felt the overall situation was handled well, with no serious injuries to the juveniles, the public and police officers.
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