The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office may find that two crimes committed last week are related, after a suspicious vehicle was found along W.Va. 18.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, the TCSO received a report of a van parked along the roadside in the area of the Jug in Middlebourne.

According to reports, the vehicle had been sitting there since early morning.

Deputy D.S. Dalrymple was dispatched to the scene and discovered the vehicle was owned by Broad Run Baptist Church in Jane Lew, W.Va. Upon contacting the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Dalrymple further discovered the 2006 Chevy Express van had been reported stolen the previous evening.

The vehicle was recovered with the keys in the ignition and no damage was found.

Meanwhile, while working the investigation, Harley G. Stewart of H.C. 69, Middlebourne reported that a 2003 Kia Optima owned by his in-laws had been stolen from his driveway between 10:45 a.m. and noon.

The Kia was recovered on Oct. 25 by the West Virginia State Police in Randolph County.

Although it has not been confirmed the two crimes are linked, the second vehicle was stolen approximately one half mile from the recovered van.

Anyone with information regarding these matters is asked to contact the TCSO at 304-758-4229.