Recently deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were requested to assist firefighters at a house fire in the Broomtown community on after firefighters reported a male acting suspiciously at the scene.

Before deputies arrived, the male had fled from the area on foot through the woods. Deputies were also informed that a truck at the scene had been reported stolen out of Chattooga County, Georgia. The male had reportedly been attempting to leave the area in the stolen vehicle and had entered a firefighter’s vehicle in an attempt to jump-start the truck.

The male was located on County Road 97 near the location of the fire and took him into custody. The male was identified as Douglas Obenoskey, 35, of Summerville, Georgia.

A search of the stolen vehicle resulted in the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the residence. Deputies also discovered a shed on the property that appeared to have been forcibly entered.

Obenoskey was arrested and charged with Theft of Property 1st Degree, Theft of Property 4th Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, two counts of Burglary 3rd Degree, Receiving Stolen Property 1st Degree, Unlawful Breaking and Entering of a Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempting to Elude.

The investigation into the house fire is still ongoing. We would like to thank the Cedar Bluff Police Department, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office for their assistance in this case.