Home Invasion in Powhatan Point, Ohio Leads to Arrest of Three Suspects

I’ll be honest—when I first read about this case, it felt like something out of a crime drama. But it happened for real, right here in Powhatan Point, Ohio. Early Friday morning, a quiet residential stretch on State Route 7 turned into the scene of a multi-agency operation.

Three people—Jesse Thompson (21), Chaz Suarez (23), and Stormetta Hawkins (32)—were arrested in connection with a brutal home invasion out of Moundsville, West Virginia. Authorities say the victims were pistol-whipped and robbed of multiple firearms. These weren’t just petty theft suspects; they were considered armed, dangerous, and on the run.

The U.S. Marshals’ Mountain State Fugitive Task Force, along with local deputies and Powhatan police, moved in fast. They found Thompson first. Hawkins and Suarez were hiding out inside the same house. When officers searched the place, they reportedly found a loaded HK .45 pistol tucked into Suarez’s waistband. More guns and meth turned up soon after.

This wasn’t random. The Marshals had intel that the suspects were holed up in town. Someone tipped them off—and that tip might’ve stopped another violent incident from happening.

Inside the Home Invasion – What Really Went Down

Let’s not sugarcoat this—what happened in Moundsville was terrifying. According to WTOV 9, the trio didn’t just break into someone’s home. They used violence. The victims were pistol-whipped. Five firearms were stolen in the process.

Think about that for a second—five deadly weapons now out on the street, potentially in the hands of three people desperate enough to flee state lines.

This wasn’t random. This was a targeted act, and the level of force used shows that they were prepared for confrontation. If you’ve ever wondered whether these kinds of home invasions are just exaggerated headlines—they’re not. This one left real people shaken and injured.

And here’s what really hits home for me: the suspects weren’t just trying to escape quietly. They brought the stolen weapons with them. One of them had a loaded handgun literally tucked in his waistband when he was caught. If that doesn’t make you think twice about personal safety, it should.

Similar to a recent home invasion in Washington County where two suspects were arrested, this case involved stolen firearms and sudden violence that left victims traumatized.

Who Are These People? What We Know About the Suspects

You probably feel the same way I do when these stories break: Who are they? And why did they do it?

According to WTRF, the suspects are Jesse Thompson (21), Chaz Suarez (23), and Stormetta Hawkins (32). All three are now sitting in Belmont County Jail. No background checks are public yet, but based on what was found at the arrest scene—firearms, meth, and ammo—this wasn’t a one-time mistake. It was a high-risk operation.

I don’t think you and I need to know every little detail about their lives to get the picture. They were on the run, armed, and carrying meth. That’s not survival mode—that’s recklessness.

And here’s what might get overlooked: Hawkins is 32. The other two? Early 20s. This wasn’t a teenage impulse gone wrong. It was adults making deliberate decisions, and that matters when we talk about accountability.

A similar case in California led to a long-term conviction after a San Francisco man was found guilty of a violent home invasion robbery, showing how seriously the courts treat such crimes.

How U.S. Marshals Tracked Them Down in Powhatan Point?

Now here’s the part that gives me a little relief—the way law enforcement handled it.

Once the Marshals got a tip that the suspects were hiding out on State Route 7 in Powhatan Point, they moved fast. I mean, really fast. They didn’t wait for something else to happen. Teams from the Marshals Task Force, the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, and local police converged on the address early Friday morning.

Thompson was caught right away. Suarez and Hawkins tried to stay hidden inside the house, but officers found them during the search. When they did, Suarez had a loaded HK .45 on him—loaded and ready. If the police had delayed even an hour, this could’ve ended in another violent encounter.

That level of coordination between agencies? That’s what made this arrest smooth and, more importantly, safe for everyone around.

If you’ve ever felt like fugitives just disappear and slip through cracks, this is one of those rare moments where the system worked. And it’s worth recognizing that.

What would you have done if something like this happened in your neighborhood? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments.

What Happens Now – Charges, Jail, and Possible Penalties

So, what now?

All three suspects are locked up in the Belmont County Jail, waiting to be sent back to West Virginia. They’ll be facing serious charges—likely including home invasion, aggravated assault, firearm theft, and drug possession.

If you’re wondering what kind of punishment that brings—it’s not light. In both Ohio and West Virginia, using a firearm during a home invasion can lead to 10+ years in prison. Add drug charges and crossing state lines, and the penalties stack up fast.

But here’s something I think we often miss: the process takes time. Just because they’re in jail now doesn’t mean it’s over. There will be extradition hearings, possible plea deals, maybe even federal involvement depending on the weapons charges.

As someone who’s followed dozens of similar cases, I can tell you—if the victims press for full prosecution, this could take months. Maybe more.

If you’re someone who follows real-time crime updates and home invasion stories from across the U.S., some WhatsApp crime alert channels are starting to share verified details as these cases evolve.

Was Meth the Motive? The Drug Connection Behind the Crime

Let’s be honest—this isn’t just about stolen guns or assault. It’s also about addiction, desperation, and drugs.

During the arrest, officers found a “small amount” of suspected methamphetamine. That one detail changes the entire narrative, at least for me. Because now we’re not just looking at a robbery gone violent—we’re looking at something that might’ve been fueled by dependency, or maybe even trafficking.

You’ve probably heard how meth has been creeping back into rural towns across Ohio and West Virginia. According to reports, meth-related incidents have been steadily climbing in small counties—especially places like Belmont.

And if you’ve ever had someone in your life caught up in that world, you know how quickly it spirals. One day it’s a bad habit. The next, it’s a home invasion with a loaded weapon.

That’s why I think this part of the story matters most. We can lock people up, but unless we deal with the addiction side of the equation, these kinds of crimes aren’t going away.

In another disturbing case, a Rodeo resident was charged with kidnapping during a series of East Bay home invasions, highlighting how these crimes are increasingly tied to deeper patterns of violence.

Safety Tips for Homeowners – What You Can Do Right Now

Look, you can’t control what others do—but you can control how prepared you are.

After reading about this case, if you’re not at least rechecking your home’s security, I’d honestly be surprised. Here’s what I’d recommend if you’re in Ohio—or anywhere near rural crime hotspots like Belmont County:

• Secure all firearms properly – Use biometric safes or gun locks. Every stolen gun becomes a threat to someone else.
• Install exterior cameras – Even basic motion-detecting cameras can deter intruders and help law enforcement if something happens.
• Know your neighbors – The faster word spreads, the quicker suspicious activity gets reported.
• Report anonymously – Don’t hesitate to tip off local police or the U.S. Marshals if you spot anything off. You can stay anonymous and still save lives.

Also, if you’re worried about drug activity nearby—odd traffic patterns, people hanging around a house at strange hours, chemical smells—it’s okay to trust your gut. Contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers. They’re not just for TV shows.

Ohio’s Home Invasion Problem – Is This Part of a Bigger Trend?

You might be wondering—is this just a one-off incident? Or is something bigger happening?

Honestly? It’s part of a larger trend.

According to the FBI’s most recent Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, violent home invasions are increasing in small towns across Ohio and West Virginia—especially those near drug corridors. Meth and opioid distribution networks aren’t just urban problems anymore. They’re hitting rural counties like Belmont, Marshall, and Washington harder than ever.

And what’s scary is that many of these crimes follow the same pattern: break-ins, violence, and stolen firearms that disappear into the underground market.

A 2024 analysis from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office showed a 15% rise in drug-fueled burglaries compared to just two years ago. Most of these are not inside high-crime zip codes—they’re in quiet, working-class neighborhoods.

That’s why cases like this one matter. They’re not isolated. They’re warnings.

Final Takeaways

This wasn’t just about three people getting arrested. It was a wake-up call for anyone who thinks violent crime can’t touch quiet towns like Powhatan Point. These suspects weren’t hiding out in some abandoned shack—they were living just off a main road, armed and carrying meth.

If you take anything away from this, let it be this: stay alert, stay connected to your community, and don’t assume safety is guaranteed just because your neighborhood feels quiet.

Your awareness might be the one thing that stops the next tragedy.

Want to explore more real incidents like this one? Head over to our Home Security section for similar stories and safety insights.

Disclaimer: All suspects mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Details in this article are based on publicly available police and media reports as of the time of writing. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice.