February 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A Byrdstown man and Smithville woman believed to have been responsible for a recent rash of burglaries and thefts from a Nashville Highway storage unit business in DeKalb County have been arrested after an investigation by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.
24-year-old Nicholas Braedan Booher and 23-year-old Jessie Danielle Murphy of Fisher Avenue, Smithville are each charged with five counts of burglary and five counts of property theft. His bond totals $135,000 while the bond for Murphy totals $90,000. They will make a court appearance on March 9.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 5 and February 17 Booher and Murphy broke into and stole items from several storage units being rented by a total of five victims.
In each case, Sheriff Ray explained what was stolen as follows:
*January 5, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included several tools, a 40-inch Smart television, plates and antique chairs. The total value of the property is $1,650.
*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included a black safe, a wedding band with diamonds, four silver bars, and a golden class ring. The total value of the property is $4,430.
* February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included two firearms, assorted currency, jewelry, clothes, and other assorted items. The total value of the property is $4,100.
*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included three Easter baskets with content, a Halloween basket, and a master lock. The total value of the property is $95.
*February 17, a storage unit was broken into, and items stolen included a green air compressor and a master lock. The total value of the property is $500.
Two people were arrested during a routine traffic stop by the sheriff’s department last week.
28-year-old Raymond Marcelle Marks of Village Place, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation. He was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
33-year-old Nikki Leigh Harris of South College Street, Smithville was also charged with criminal impersonation.
Bond for Marks is $8,500 and Harris’ bond is $5,000. Both will appear in court March 2.
Sheriff Ray said that on February 22 a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Gold Dodge Ram on West Main Street, Smithville and spoke with the driver, Marks who identified himself as Juan Marks and said that his date of birth was February 2, 1992. Marks later gave his true identity and date of birth which is June 2, 1994. A background check through central dispatch revealed that Marks’ driver license was revoked for a prior driving under the influence offense. Marks also consented to a search of his vehicle and found inside were numerous glass pipes, scales, and straws.
Harris, who was a passenger in the vehicle with Marks, was asked to give her name which she said was Gina White and that her date of birth was May 5, 1984. She later gave her true identity and said that she was actually born on June 27, 1989.
37-year-old Eric Wayne Tramel of Andrew Street, Smithville and 34-year-old Anthony Wayne Tramel of Oakley Road, Liberty are each charged with resisting arrest. They are each under a $5,000 bond and will appear in court March 9.
Sheriff Ray said that on February 23 a deputy responded to a possible burglary in progress and upon arrival was told by witnesses that the two suspects fled into the woods. The officer gave chase, but they refused to heed verbal commands to stop. Both Eric and Anthony Tramel were subsequently taken into custody after a short foot chase.
38-year-old Brandon Dewayne Tucker of Northwest Broad Street, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license. He is under a $3,500 bond and his court date is March 16.
Sheriff Ray said that on February 25 a deputy spotted a white Ford F-150 traveling east on West Broad Street driven by Tucker. Knowing that Tucker’s license were revoked he initiated a traffic stop. A computer check confirmed that Tucker’s license were revoked for failure to comply with financial responsibility on March 21, 2019. Tucker had previously been cited twice and arrested once within the last month for the same offense of driving on a revoked license. He was placed under arrest again.
55 year old Buddy Gene Williams of Academy Avenue, Alexandria is charged with filing a false report. His bond is $15,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 16.
Sheriff Ray said that on February 25 Williams intentionally reported an emergency prompting a response from the sheriff’s department knowing that the report was baseless. On that day the department received a phone call from a man stating he needed to speak with central dispatch. After the call was relayed to DeKalb E911 Williams falsely reported that a physical altercation was taking place at a residence on Academy Avenue and that a man there had a gun. Two deputies responded emergency traffic due to the perceived threat of life from the report. The officers spoke with the occupants of the residence who had been asleep prior to their arrival and found no such incident occurring there as had been reported. A further investigation revealed that several previous calls had been placed from Williams’ phone and that on at least one occasion he identified himself during the call. Authorities suspect the false calls from Williams was an attempt to disturb the residents while creating a false report of an emergency to get a response from the sheriff’s department.