Two suspects accused of breaking into several cars were charged Friday with six counts of auto burglary with more charges expected, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s detective said.
Acting on a witness’ tip, Deputy Casey McClure located one suspect in a car while the second suspect walked up moments later about 2 a.m. Friday on Pinnacle Hills Drive near Rockvale.
McClure apprehended suspects Patrick Brannon, 18, of 8495 Dyer Road near Rockvale and Travis Stanley, 18, of 428 S. Kings Highway. They were taken to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office for an interview with Detective Richard Brinkley who filed six charges each on both suspects and seized Brannon’s Honda.
Sheriff’s deputies filed 12 reports from victims whose vehicles were broken into Wednesday and Thursday nights on Pinnacle Hills Drive, Armor Place, Mallow Drive and Copper Ridge near Rockvale and Christiana. Items stolen included pharmacy technician books, Christmas toys, a CSX radio, a bowling ball and shoes, cameras and cash.
Brinkley said one family purchased Christmas presents for their children that day. Those gifts were not recovered. The suspects could not remember where they tossed the presents.
The CSX employee found the radio in a ditch. Deputies searched the area and recovered much of the stolen property taken from unlocked vehicles.
“They only hit unlocked doors,” Brinkley said. “Lock your doors.”
The investigation began when a resident saw the suspects and obtained a description and license plate number and notified sheriff’s dispatchers who alerted deputies. McClure located the suspects. Deputies found the burglarized vehicles and contacted homeowners who reported what property was missing.
“Patrol officers were observant when they responded to the call and canvassed the neighborhood for the stolen property,” Brinkley said. “If not for patrol, this would still be an open case.”
Brannon and Stanley were booked into Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where they are held. A hearing is set Jan. 17 in General Sessions Court.
