Two Charged With Stealing From Dead Woman

Bradley County Sheriff's deputies have charged two men with the theft of several items from a storage shed that belonged to a woman who died in a traffic accident on Benton Pike the night of August 3.

A family member called police after he arrived at 1180 High Street and found two men taking items out of a storage shed that was previously locked.

Deputy Tim Robinson Sr. and Deputy Michael Westfield answered the burglary-in-progress call. During questioning the suspects said a neighbor gave them permission to remove items from the shed, but those claims were disputed when the neighbor was questioned.

Brothers Merril C. Hackler Jr., 46, and Thomas Milton Hackler, 49, both of Tenth Street, were taken into custody and have been charged with Burglary and Theft over $500.

According to the Affidavit of Complaint, the suspects returned several times to the storage building to take additional property.

Det. Kevin White of the Criminal Investigations Division assisted in the investigation and recovery of the woman's property that was later released to a family member.