Four people trapped in W.Va. mine arrested

Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Police in West Virginia arrested four people for illegally entering an abandoned coal mine where three of the suspects became trapped for four days.

The foursome entered the Rock House Powellton mine near Clear Creek, W.Va., on Dec. 8 and became trapped. One of the group, Eddie Williams Jr., was able to exit the mine and notified authorities that his three companions were still trapped.

On Dec. 12, rescue groups helped the other three -- Kayla Williams, Cody Beverly and Erica Treadway -- out of the mine.

A mother of one of the four said they were attempting to steal copper from the mine, which was abandoned two years ago. Beverly and Treadyway said that wasn't the case.

Still, entering the abandoned mine was considered trespassing. Police charged all four with entering without breaking and conspiracy.

Eddie Williams Jr. also faces an additional count of giving false information to law enforcement. He was arrested Dec. 20 and booked on $100,000 bail.

The Whitesville Police Department arrested Beverly on Friday, and Kayla Williams and Treadway were arrested Wednesday.