CULLMAN – On Sunday, May 1, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) investigators arrested Kelly Thomas Schmidt, 41, of Hanceville and William Michael Hollis, 34, of Birmingham, for unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle. The CCSO stated that other charges could be added, as this is an active investigation.
Late Sunday, CCSO deputies and investigators were dispatched to the McDonald’s in Dodge City on a breaking and entering a motor vehicle call. Deputies and investigators obtained a description of the suspects’ vehicle, a yellow Mazda Protégé, and sent out a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) to all surrounding agencies.
Officers from the Hanceville Police Department (HPD) noticed the vehicle while on patrol at the local Hanceville CVS and detained both suspects until CCSO investigators could arrive. In a search of the vehicle, HPD officers found purses, IDs, credit cards and other items.
When CCSO investigators arrived, they were made aware of other vehicles that had been broken into in Hanceville and Cullman, where several items had been taken. CCSO investigators worked throughout the night and discovered that the suspects broke into vehicles in the parking lots of Warehouse Discount Grocery in Hanceville and TJ Max in Cullman in addition to the earlier car break-in at McDonald’s in Dodge City.
"I was a very proud of the hard work the deputies and investigators did working throughout the night to get these two thieves off the streets," said Sheriff Matt Gentry. “I would also like to thank the other law enforcement agencies who assisted us on this case.”
Most of the victims’ property was recovered, however this is still an active investigation and other property could still be recovered.
Hollis and Schmidt are currently being held in the Cullman County Detention Center without bond.
