The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that a Saint Albans man is behind bars after allegedly pepper spraying his girlfriend and stealing her vehicle over the weekend. On Saturday December 2, 2023 around 1:40 AM, a deputy was dispatched to the Cross Lanes Taco Bell after dispatchers received a call that a man had pepper sprayed his girlfriend and stolen her vehicle.

The man was identified as 29-year-old Michael Scott Carpenter. While the deputy was responding to the scene, he passed Carpenter in the stolen car on West Washington Street between Cross Lanes and Dunbar. During a traffic stop, the deputy found that Carpenter was driving under the influence of drugs, according to authorities.

Authorities say Michael Scott Carpenter’s license was already revoked for a previous DUI and he was in possession of narcotics. Carpenter has been charged with 2nd degree Robbery, Domestic Battery, 2nd Offense DUI, and Driving Revoked for DUI. He was booked into the South Central Regional Jail on a $25,000 bond.

The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries by medics at the scene. Her vehicle was returned without damage.