Weakley Co. deputies make arrests in cabin break-ins

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — Four men and a juvenile male are facing charges after deputies say they broke into a cabin near Palmersville more than once.

From left: Balkman, Hansel, Martin and Sellers

Deputies have charged Trace McBride Balkman, Cobey Tyler Hansel, Joseph Cain Martin and Austin Gage Sellers in connection with two break-ins at a cabin on School Road, according to the sheriff’s office. All are charged with various counts of aggravated burglary and theft.

Guns, knives, tools and ammunition reportedly were stolen from the cabin.

A concerned citizen called the sheriff’s office, and deputies then found one of the suspect’s cars at the cabin.

Deputies say they found Balkman in the woods behind the cabin around midnight.

One of the suspects called 911 to report he was lost, and deputies found the remaining suspects at a church on Blooming Grove Road.

Deputies later found two of the other suspects’ vehicles at a Palmersville church.

The four men also admitted to being in the cabin the night before, according to the sheriff’s office.

Balkman, Hansel, Martin and the juvenile are also charged in a break-in that took place between Feb. 18 and Feb. 23 at a cabin between Swinging Limb Road and Jolly Springs Road.

A gun, a trolling motor and fishing tackle reportedly were stolen during that break-in.

An investigator with the sheriff’s office later recovered the stolen fishing tackle from the farm building behind Dresden High School.