May 13, 2015 2 min read

A West Virginia man who was one of three accused of stealing 45 deep-cycle solar batteries and damaging battery-powered safety switching systems on property of Range Resources and a contractor in March 2014 was arraigned Wednesday on several charges.

Brian Keith Chipps, 33, of Weirton, was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of criminal mischief, theft, conspiracy and criminal trespass. His co-defendants, Jeffrey Little, 39, of Avella, and John Robert Spears, 41, of Weirton, were arrested last year.

Little and Chipps allegedly stole batteries from a lock box in a fenced area at 670 Buck Run Road, Donegal Township, on March 4, 2014, causing a power loss to the well pad. Batteries also were stolen from equipment at Cove Contracting’s work site in Independence Township in early March.

The three men allegedly went to Range Resources’ Temple Pad at 151 Raccoon Run Road, Independence, on March 14, 2014. Police say they stole batteries, also causing a power loss to that well pad.

The batteries were sold at scrapyards in Weirton. The value of the stolen batteries was $27,600, and damage to the safety switching systems was set at $5,000.

Little and Spears have had their cases adjudicated in Washington County courts. Little pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to one count each of criminal mischief, theft and conspiracy. Spears pleaded guilty Nov. 17 to two counts of theft and one count of conspiracy.

Chipps, who was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond, is scheduled for a May 27 preliminary hearing before Ward.