North Carolina homicide suspect located by Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Murfreesboro police

A North Carolina man wanted for killing his wife and leaving with their 3-year-old daughter Wednesday was arrested by Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies and Murfreesboro Police at a motel tonight in Murfreesboro, authorities said.

Brent James Bockes, 50, of Sanford, N.C., faces charges of first-degree murder of his wife, Deanna Michelle Bockes, whose body was found Wednesday afternoon, said Sanford Police Major Vincent Frazer. He is also wanted for robbery and theft of a car.

An amber alert was issued for the couple’s 3-year-old daughter, Riley Harper Bockes, Frazer said.

Sheriff’s Cpl. William Travis said deputies and Murfreesboro Police located Bockes and Riley after they were involved in a crash about 8 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 24 near Joe B. Jackson Parkway and South Church Street.

Riley was not harmed, Travis said. Deputies are caring for her while trying to contact family members.

Deputies checked the license plate number and learned it was the same car mentioned in the amber alert.

“The suspect was responsible for the motor vehicle collision and fled with the child,” Travis said. “Deputies and Murfreesboro Police utilized K9s to conduct a track for Bockes.”

Murfreesboro Police Sgt. Stephen Luter reported K9 Officer Cody Shanabarger with his partner, Beau, and another K9 Officer Oliver Goddard assisted with the track from the crash scene as both RCSO deputies and MPD officers attempted to locate the suspect.

The suspect was possibly seen at the Wyndham Hotel on Westgate Boulevard. Officers were advised he went towards the Select Inn.

Travis said Deputy Denise Smotherman interviewed people in the motel lobbies to locate Bockes while Deputy John Wauchek helped pinpoint his location.

Luter said Officer Cary Ridiner and deputies saw the suspect and child at the Select Inn coming from the stairwell and took the suspect into custody. The child went with a deputy to the lobby for her safety and EMS was called to check them due to the crash. K9 Officer Shanabarger and Beau tracked directly to this location as well.

Travis said Bockes was charged with being a fugitive from justice. He will be held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

Follow Up Story: Amber Alert victim rescued by Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies and Murfreesboro Police