Reward money, tips lead cops to break-in suspects

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
EAST FRANKLIN – The Franklin County Sheriff's Department has located the individuals believed to be responsible for the string of church and house burglaries in the East Franklin Community over a period of two months.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said that Timothy James Bell, 18, of 7627 Highway 95 in Russellville, and Brian Cosby, 28, have been charged with seven counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree theft of property, three counts second-degree theft of property, and two counts of third-degree theft of property.
"We believe Mr. Bell and Mr. Cosby broke into three churches and four houses in the East Franklin Community over a period of two months," Plott said.
Items taken during the burglaries include several thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, electronics, prescription medications, and small amounts of money taken from the churches, Plott said.
"Due to the seriousness of the charges and the number of charges, we will be requesting that a substantial bond be set in this case," Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.
If convicted, Bell and Cosby could face two to 20 years in prison on each of the seven burglary charges, and one year and one day to 10 years in prison on each of the theft charges, Rushing added.
Bell remains in the Franklin County Jail awaiting a bond hearing while Cosby is in custody in Winston County.
According to the Winston County Sheriff's Department, Cosby was arrested by the Haleyville Police Department and charged with receiving stolen property first-degree, two counts of possession of controlled substance, two counts of criminal mischief, theft of property, and burglary. Cosby remains the Winston County Jail.
The East Franklin burglaries are still under investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.