WHEELING -- West Virginia State Police, Ohio County Sheriff's Department and the Valley Grove and Triadelphia fire departments spent more than four hours Sunday night and most of Monday searching for a .40-caliber pistol in a wooded area in Triadelphia.
Authorities later found the gun just south of Bethlehem, in the Baumann's Addition, after the suspect allegedly admitted he had sent them off the trail.
Cpl. J.E. Dean said the suspect came forward on Sunday and turned in one of the weapons, a .22-caliber pistol, he allegedly had stashed at his home.
"He told us the other gun was in Triadelphia and took us to a wooded area above Route 40, but we couldn't it there,” said Dean.
Crews used metal detectors, garden rakes, and even brooms to search for the weapon.
"He later told us the weapon was in a different place and then led us to the area where he claimed he had thrown the firearm," said Dean.
Crews found the second weapon around 2:45 p.m. Monday.
Corporal Dean said they could not release the suspect's name until they take him into custody and charge him.
"An arrest is pending and the suspect may face a number of charges," said Dean.