A city man faces burglary charges after police say he forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home and slashed tires on two vehicles at the residence.
Brandon Kempson, 32, 407 W. D St., Elizabethton, was arrested Saturday morning by Carter County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Issac Rhea on warrants charging him with aggravated burglary, violation of an order of protection and vandalism over $500.
The charges against Kempson stem from a police investigation that began on Wednesday after two women reported Kempson had forced his way into their home and damaged vehicles parked outside.
On Wednesday, officers of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a burglary in the Stoney Creek community and spoke with Brittany Helmick and Danielle Helmick. The women told officers they were asleep inside their home when they were awakened by noises and found Kempson, Brittany Helmick’s ex-boyfriend, had broken the rear door open and entered the home. The women also told officers Brittany Helmick had obtained an order of protection against Kempson, which Vaughn verified was still in place.
“The Helmicks said that when Brandon entered, he encountered Brittany’s boyfriend and Brandon exited the residence carrying a screwdriver that was used to secure a lock on the rear door,” CCSD Sgt. Larry Vaughn said. “The Helmicks said that after Mr. Kempson left the residence in an older model maroon Buick, they noticed that all eight of their tires were going flat. I observed the tires to be flattened and that they appeared to have been punctured.”
After speaking with the women, Vaughn went to Kempson’s address on West D Street, where he found an older model maroon Buick parked on the street in front of the house.
“I checked the Buick and the hood and wheel hub was warm as if the vehicle had just been driven,” Vaughn said. “I spok with Benjamin Oaks and he said he was the owner of the Buick, but it had been parked and not driven. Mr. Oaks gave ne explanation as to why the hood was warm when I asked and denied that Mr. Kempson had driven it recently.”
Vaughn was unable to locate Kempson at that time, so he obtained warrants charging Kempson with violation of an order of protection, aggravated burglary and vandalism over $500 in connection with the events at the home of Brittany and Danielle Helmick.
On Saturday morning, officers were again summoned to the women’s home, this time on a report of a theft of property. Danille Helmick told officers that some time during the night, someone had gotten into her car and taken her wallet.
“(She) stated that she believed her roommate’s ex-boyfriend Brandon Kempson is responsible for the theft,” CCSD Sgt. Issac Rhea said. “Ms. (Danielle) Helmick stated there is an active order of protection on Mr. Kempson and that he has been seen coming to the residence and damaging their property.”
A short time later on Saturday morning, Rhea located Kempson in the city and arrested him on the outstanding warrants taken out by Vaughn.
Kempson appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court on Monday, where he was arraigned on the charges against him. Judge Keith Bowers appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Kempson and scheduled him to return to court today. On Monday afternoon Kempson remained held at the Carter County Detention Center under at $10,000 bond.