Mobile Woman Charged After Police Say She Crawled Under Fence, Drove Vehicle Through It on Todd Acres Drive

MOBILE, Ala. — A Mobile woman is facing criminal mischief and trespassing charges after police say she crawled under a fence at a home on Todd Acres Drive, got into a vehicle parked on the property and drove it through the fence Thursday morning.

Kierra Hogues-Gano, 36, was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal trespass, according to the Mobile Police Department.

The charges are accusations. Hogues-Gano has not been convicted, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

What police say happened

According to a Mobile Police Department news release, officers were called to the 6400 block of Todd Acres Drive at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, for a report of trespassing.

When officers arrived, they determined that a woman had crawled under a fence at a residence, gotten into a vehicle that was on the property and then driven the vehicle through the fence, police said.

Police have not said whether she knew the people who live at the home, whether the vehicle belonged to a resident of the property, how far the vehicle was driven or whether it was recovered. The department also has not said what led to the incident or whether anyone was home at the time. No injuries were reported.

Although the incident has been described as a vehicle theft, the charges police announced do not include a theft or vehicle-theft count. As announced, the case centers on the damage to property and on entering the property unlawfully.

Key facts

• Where: 6400 block of Todd Acres Drive, Mobile
• When: About 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
• Initial call: Trespassing report
• What police say happened: A woman crawled under a fence, got into a vehicle on the property and drove it through the fence
• Arrested: Kierra Hogues-Gano, 36
• Charges: First-degree criminal mischief; second-degree criminal trespass
• Investigating agency: Mobile Police Department

Understanding the charges

Alabama law separates property-damage offenses and trespassing offenses into degrees, with penalties that rise according to the amount of damage or the type of place entered.

Criminal mischief. A person commits criminal mischief in Alabama by intentionally or recklessly damaging another person’s property without the right to do so, or by tampering with property in a way that endangers someone. The degree of the charge depends primarily on the amount of damage. First-degree criminal mischief, the most serious level, applies when the damage exceeds $2,500 and is classified as a Class C felony. Lower degrees apply to smaller amounts of damage and are misdemeanors.

Police have not released an estimate of the damage in this case. The first-degree charge indicates that officers believed, at the time of the arrest, that the damage met the threshold for the felony level. The final value of the damage, and whether it supports the charge, would be determined as the case moves through the court system.

Criminal trespass. Alabama divides criminal trespass into three degrees. In general terms, trespass involves knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on property or in a building. The degree depends on the kind of property involved, such as a dwelling, a building or fenced land, and on the circumstances. Second-degree criminal trespass is a misdemeanor.

Because the case is in its early stages, prosecutors with the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office could review the charges and decide whether to proceed as filed, amend them or take other action.

What happens next

Felony cases in Alabama typically begin with an initial appearance in district court, where a judge reviews the charges and the conditions of release, including bond. A felony charge such as first-degree criminal mischief may then go before a grand jury, which decides whether there is enough evidence to issue an indictment and send the case to circuit court for trial or a plea. Misdemeanor charges, such as second-degree criminal trespass, are generally handled in district court.

Police have not said whether Hogues-Gano remained in custody or had been released on bond as of Friday.

Protecting your property

Incidents involving fenced yards and parked vehicles are a reminder that a fence alone does not always keep someone off a property. Law enforcement agencies commonly suggest a few basic steps homeowners can take:

• Keep vehicles locked and never leave keys or key fobs inside a parked car, even in a fenced yard or driveway.
• Use exterior lighting and, where possible, motion-activated lights around gates, fences and parking areas.
• Consider security cameras or video doorbells that cover driveways and side yards, and keep footage available for police if something happens.
• Report anyone on your property who should not be there by calling 911 rather than confronting the person.
• Get to know neighbors, who can often spot something unusual while you are away.

Contacting police

Anyone with information about this or other incidents in Mobile can contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211. In an emergency, call 911.

South AL News will report further developments in the case as they become available from police or court records.