Hoover Police arrest state forensic sciences employee for theft and trafficking of controlled substances

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Hoover Police have arrested an Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences employee on charges related to the disappearance of drugs taken from a facility in Hoover.

Brandi Mikkel Hicks, 30, of Odenville, faces charges of theft of property first degree, theft of property second degree, trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine, according to an April 9  release from Hoover Police.

The investigation began on Feb. 24, 2015, when the Hoover Police Department was notified of a theft that occurred at the Birmingham Regional Laboratory of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. This facility is located at 2026 Valleydale Road in Hoover. A routine inventory of the evidence vault revealed that numerous drug items were missing.

After Hoover detectives conducted multiple interviews, a forensic sciences technician emerged as a primary suspect. On March 26, arrest warrants were obtained at the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office for Hicks. After refusing to surrender to the Shelby County Jail, Hicks was picked up by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force on April 1.

Hicks was arrested while sitting in a car outside a residence in the 2200 block of Avenue I in Ensley. She was transported to the Hoover City Jail and later transferred to the Shelby County Jail, where she remains. Hicks faces bonds of more than $2 million for the following charges:

  • Trafficking in heroine - $1 million bond
  • Trafficking in cocaine - $1 million bond
  • Theft of Property 1st degree - $30,000.00 bond
  • Theft of Property 2nd degree - $15,000.00 bond

Hoover police say the investigation remains active as other individuals are involved, adding they will keep efforts to hold all suspects involved in the case "accountable for their actions."

Anyone who has additional information about Hicks or her accomplices is urged to call Hoover Police Detective Clark Raymond at 739-6780. If you wish to remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward, you may contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 254-7777.