Couple found dead in Heflin

Heflin Police are investigating the discovery of two body's Thursday morning.  Police Chief A.J. Benefield says that the two victims were discovered by a mam walking his dog around 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning near a home in the 300 block of Gray Road.  Benefield identified the victims as 31-year-old Todd Robbins and 21-year-old Krista Medders. The chief says Robbins once lived at the address where he and Medders were discovered.  Police say the pair had been romantically involved in the past.  Benefield said he could not confirm if this is a possible murder-suicide until the state forensics team completes their investigation. He says both victims appear to be dead from gunshot wounds.  The chief said There is no one in custody and there is no reason to believe that a suspect is at large.  The chief said he expects a preliminary autopsy report to be released today.

Suspect arrested in Gadsden Shooting

A suspect in an October 18^th shooting on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden is in custody today.  .19 year old Trezmin Taylor,  was arrested early Thursday morning  charged with attempted murder and a probation violation. He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force.  Taylor is accused of firing two rounds at a 22-year-old man near the intersection of Forrest Avenue and South 23rd Street. The man said he was walking along Forrest Avenue with his cousin when Taylor stopped his vehicle next to him and got out. He said Taylor told him he was going to kill him and pointed a pistol at him, firing two shots that narrowly missed.  The man said he and his cousin took off running to a nearby convenience store and told the owner to lock the door. Taylor followed the cousins to the store, but returned to his vehicle once he saw the door was locked.  Taylor is in the Etowah County Detention Center on $50,000 bond.

Suspect arrested in Gadsden Church Burglaries

Gadsden Police say they have arrested one man and are looking for another in connection with multiple church burglaries throughout the city.  18 year old Tommy Davis, of Gadsden, was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center on Tuesday and charged with third-degree burglary. Police say that Davis was already was out on bond on an attempted murder charge.  Police are searching for 19 year old Jared Jones, of Gadsden, who also is facing a third-degree burglary charge.  Investigators said the pair confessed to one burglary and are suspects in at least six more. Twelve churches in Gadsden have been burglarized within the past month. Davis was taken into custody because his bond was revoked. Jones was let go because authorities needed several days to get the proper warrants.  Detectives say that Davis and Jones are suspects in the burglaries that occurred around South Gadsden and Alabama City, but not all of the recent church burglaries.  Police say they were led to the pair after receiving a call about a burglary in progress at Alabama City United Methodist Church, on Oct. 9. The caller reported seeing people acting suspicious outside the church and then lights came on inside the church. An investigation confirmed Jones and Davis were the likely culprits, police began looking for them a week ago. Detectives said both of the men admitted to breaking into the church, but nothing else.  Davis is in the Etowah County Detention Center on $50,000 bond. Anyone with information about Jones’ whereabouts can call Gadsden Police at 256-549-4500.

Clay County man arrested after stalking and assaulting woman

Richard Earl Hayes

A 45-year-old Lineville man wanted for allegedly stalking, kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman has been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and the Cleburne County Sheriff's Department.  Police have charged Richard Earl Hayes with stalking, kidnapping and sexual assault.  Officers say Hayes was sending, flowers, threatening texts and emails to the 42-year-old female victim for the past 10 days.  Irondale police say Hayes allegedly stalked a woman for days before kidnapping and sexually assaulting her this week. Police say On Tuesday, Hayes forced the victim to pull over on a road somewhere in St. Clair County, then kidnapped and sexually assaulted her. The attack happened sometime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.  Police say Most of the stalking has happened in Jefferson County. Police believe Hayes or his associates may have been watching the victim's house. Detectives say Hayes didn't know his victim directly, but believe he may have some connection to the victim's boyfriend.

Williams opposes sunday alcohol referendum in Gadsden

Sen. Phil Williams

While the Calhoun county cities of Anniston and Weaver have instituted Sunday alcohol sales.  Sen. Phil Williams, of Rainbow City,  says he currently opposes allowing a referendum on Sunday liquor sales in Gadsden, but will continue to have discussions about the issue with constituents.  The question came up Wednesday during a question-and-answer session after a speech by Williams at the Gadsden Kiwanis Club. Lesa Osborn, director of the Gadsden Commercial Development Authority, said the organization has asked Etowah County’s legislative delegation to allow a vote on Sunday liquor sales for the city of Gadsden. Williams told the group W  Williams told the group that  the city of Oxford is attracting restaurants and doesn’t have Sunday liquor sales.

ednesday that there is a religious reason for his stance.

Gadsden man arrested on rape charge

A 20 year old Gadsden man is facing a rape charge after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a Glencoe teenager.  Glencoe police say Steven Patrick Brooks Jr., was charged Wednesday with second-degree rape. The charge stems from an allegation that Brooks had sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl on more than one occasion during the last couple of months.  Police say that Brooks and the girl live in the same neighborhood. The girl was caught skipping school and told her father about the relationship, which led to the charges.  Brooks moved to the Gadsden area earlier this year from Tennessee.  Brooks is in the Etowah County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.