Arrests made in string of burglary cases

By Chad Fell

Senior Reporter

nwanews@centurytel.net

                           Christopher Hill                                               Nicholas Hill     

Article Contributed by The Northwest Alabamian

HALEYVILLE - Two individuals wanted in connection with several residential break-ins throughout the area were found hiding in a wooded area near Shady Brook Apartments in Haleyville, where law enforcement believe another break-in attempt was interrupted.

Taken into custody at the scene--after the Winston County Sheriff's Office, Haleyville and Bear Creek Police and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency converged on them--were Nicholas Shane Hill, 26, and Christopher Aaron Hill, 34, authorities said.

Christopher Hill has been charged with four counts of theft of property second degree, three counts burglary third degree, criminal mischief second degree and criminal trespassing third degree, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Nicholas Hill has been charged with four counts of theft of property second degree, three counts burglary third degree, criminal mischief second degree, criminal trespassing third degree and an alias warrant, the sheriff’s office indicated.

Local law enforcement agencies received information from a confidential informant Monday, Aug. 31, on the whereabouts of the two individuals sought by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, noted Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Steven Moody.

Authorities learned the Hills were staying at Shady Brook Apartments, located on Highway 195, at night and staying in a wooded lot near the apartments during the day.

Based on that information, Winston County contacted Haleyville and Bear Creek police departments, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and ALEA, advising them of the situation. These agencies responded to the apartment complex around 9:30 a.m.

“We created a perimeter, and they were in the woods,” Moody said. “They were squatting. They were looking for a place to stay out of sight.”

Authorities, after setting up their perimeter around the subjects, advanced on them and were able to take them into custody without incident, authorities on the scene said.

Authorities patted down the subjects but did not find any evidence of drugs or weapons, they said.

Law enforcement had received word the Hills were attempting to break into an apartment at Shady Brook, but their efforts to do so were to no avail, they said.

“They were staying there, hiding out,” Moody said.

Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams noted the subjects had been involved in several break-ins in the Marion County area.

Moody also noted the subjects were possibly involved in several local and area residential break-ins.

“I want the citizens to know the information we get from the public greatly assisted law enforcement in the apprehension of these subjects,” Moody said.

“I greatly appreciate the assistance and cooperation from the agencies involved,” he added.

After being taken into custody at the scene, the Hills were transported to the Marion County Jail in Hamilton.

*When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.