HOOVER, AL (WBRC) – An Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences employee is in jail on bonds totaling more than $2 million, after Hoover Police say she took numerous items of drug chemistry from an evidence office.
Brandi Mikkel Hicks, 30, of Odenville is charged with trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine, theft of property 1st degree, and theft of property 2nd degree. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has a regional laboratory in Hoover.
The investigation began following a routine check at the lab. Someone noticed numerous items of drug chemistry were missing.
Hoover police were called in to investigate, but as they began interviewing people they kept coming back to Hick, an evidence technician.
Roughly a month into the investigation, police named her the primary suspect, and got a warrant for her arrest. Police said Hicks refused to surrender. U.S. Marshals were called in and they found her in Ensley, sitting outside a house in a car. She is being held at the Shelby County Jail.
The regional lab serves 22 counties in the state. According to their website, this lab takes in all sorts of evidence from Drug chemistry, Forensic Biology, Firearms, and Toxicology. The FBI even utilizes the lab.
Hoover Police believe Hicks had at least one accomplice, and ask if you have information in this case to call Detective Clark Raymond at 205-739-6780.
Hicks has a hearing to reduce her bond at 8:30 a.m. on April 29 in Judge Dan Reeves courtroom in Shelby County, according to court records.