By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–A 32-year-old Bessemer man is being held in the Shelby County Jail after he allegedly broke into a residence located in Helena while armed with a knife.

The Helena Police Department arrested Nicholas Winston Randle, who lists an address in the 100 block of Waverly Circle in Bessemer, on Feb. 6 and charged him with

felony first-degree burglary and violation of a domestic violence protection order.

According to his arrest warrant, Randle “knowingly and unlawfully entered the victim’s residence with intent to commit a crime of domestic violence while armed with a deadly weapon.”

Helena Police Chief Pete Folmar discussed the situation that occurred on Saturday, Feb. 6.

“At some point on Saturday night, he (Randle) had someone drop him off at his estranged girlfriend’s house and she had a protection order against him,” said Folmar. “He kicked in the backdoor and entered the residence. He was armed with a knife but fled the scene where our officers then caught him a short time after.”

Folmar said the victim was not harmed in the incident.

Randle had been charged two months prior with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon on Dec. 7, 2015.

As of Feb. 10, Randle remains in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $72,500.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb 18, at 8:30 a.m. according to court documents.

First-degree burglary is a Class A felony and is punishable by up to life in prison upon conviction, according to Alabama law.