RUPERT W.Va. (WVDN) – Two individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged burglary at a Sunoco gas station in Rupert, after an early-morning break-in that resulted in the theft of cigarettes and lottery tickets. The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene on Jan. 14 following a commercial alarm at approximately 4:41 a.m.
According to the criminal complaint, a deputy arrived at the Sunoco gas station and observed that the front door glass had been shattered. Lottery tickets and cigarette cartons were found scattered both inside and outside the store. After clearing the building and reviewing security footage, investigators identified two suspects who appeared to have entered the store and stolen numerous cartons of cigarettes and lottery tickets before fleeing the scene. The footage captured the suspects, one wearing a blue winter coat and the other in tie-dye pants, walking east on Route 60 after the incident.
Deputies proceeded to track the suspects to the nearby Rupert Community Center, where they were spotted by a deputy earlier smoking cigarettes. Two individuals who oversaw the center at the time told investigators that they saw two females, Madeline Highlander and Erica Brown, enter the building around 5:15 a.m. They described Brown as wearing tie-dye pants and black gloves, while Highlander was dressed in a blue winter jacket and sweatpants.
A K9 unit from the Lewisburg Police Department was called to assist with the investigation. The K9 tracked the suspects’ scent from the Sunoco station, leading officers to the community center and then to a residence on Pocahontas Street. The investigation uncovered more footprints and articles of clothing matching the descriptions of Brown, including the tie-dye pants and black gloves.
Authorities spoke with an individual later that morning who confirmed that Brown arrived at her home wearing thin clothing that was out of place for the weather. The person stated Brown mentioned “something crazy” happened but declined to provide details. They also reported giving Brown a camouflage bag.
In another key development, a resident living behind the Rupert Community Center provided deputies with additional evidence. She reported her son found a “green sack” containing several cartons of cigarettes behind the community center where Highlander was spotted. This witness further stated that Highlander attempted to sell her lottery tickets at a discounted price, but she declined and asked Highlander to leave.
Later in the day, a deputy located Brown. During questioning, she admitted to her involvement in the burglary. She allegedly described how she and another woman, later identified as Madeline “Nikki” Highlander, broke into the Sunoco station. Brown told deputies that she struck the glass door with a metal pipe to gain entry; she and Highlander then took multiple cartons of cigarettes and lottery tickets, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities also confirmed that the cost to replace the glass door at Sunoco would amount to approximately $1,000.
Brown and Highlander now face felony charges for breaking and entering, theft and destruction of property. The law stipulates anyone convicted of breaking into a commercial property with the intent to commit theft can face a prison sentence of one to ten years, including a fine.
The investigation is ongoing and both suspects are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to gather evidence related to the incident and this case.
Neither Brown nor Highlander are currently listed as inmates at Southern Regional Jail.
