2 charged after burglary, allegedly ask victims to unlock stolen laptop

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. – Two people are facing charges after they reportedly asked burglary victims to remove the password from a stolen laptop.

According to a uniform citation, the Paintsville Police Department was contacted by victims of a reported theft just before 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.

Authorities say they met with the victims, who stated they had been communicating with the individuals who possessed their stolen property.

Police say they learned 33-year-old Brian Gatewood and 32-year-old Shasta Daniels, both of Paintsville, were attempting to get the victims to meet them and have the victims remove the password on a stolen laptop.

Upon arrival to the Budget Inn, police say they observed Gatewood in the parking lot. Daniels then walked out of room, carrying the laptop toward the victims’ vehicle, authorities say.

Gatewood was detained. Police say Daniels turned around and went back inside of the hotel room, leaving the door open.

Daniels was detained.

While inside of the room, officers say they observed a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine, a mason jar of orange pills, additional stolen property and a check belonging to a doctor from Salyersville.

Police say the check was originally written to the victims’ business.

In addition, police say three dogs were retrieved by an animal control officer.

Police say during an interview, Gatewood admitted to entering three different homes and stealing property. In addition, police say Gatewood stated the controlled substances found in the hotel belonged to him and that he had altered the check to attempt to cash it.

Daniels and Gatewood remain at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Daniels is charged with failure to appear.

Gatewood is charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense (methamphetamine), third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, public intoxication – controlled substance (excludes alcohol), theft of identity of another without consent and receiving stolen property between $1,000 and $10,000.