A couple in Whitney Point are facing felony charges after allegedly falsely reporting a burglary in December to conceal their own alleged burglary in Chenango County. 

The Broome County Sheriff's Office says on December 15, shortly after 11:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a burglary at a residence on Route 26 in the Town of Triangle. 

Police say the alleged victims, 27-year-old Samuel C. Michaels, and 33-year-old Jennifer M. Briggs reported that after a weekend trip, they returned home to find their home had been burglarized, with several items stolen, including a shotgun.

As detectives began their investigation, they learned that Michaels and Briggs were suspects in a burglary case being investigated by the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, where a shotgun was used to shoot into an empty residence. 

Michaels and Briggs admitted to falsely reporting the initial burglary to create an alibi for themselves. They say the fabricated the report to help explain the missing shotgun used in the real burglary, which they then disposed of. 

Michaels told authorities the gun was smashed and discarded.

Authorities say he then produced a destroyed shotgun receiver bearing a serial number matching that of the shotgun reported stolen.

Michaels and Briggs were arrested on December 31, 2024.

Michaels was charged with the following:

• Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony
• Providing a False Written Statement, a Class a Misdemeanor
• Falsely Reporting an incident in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor

Briggs was charged with the following:

• Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony
• Falsely Reporting an Incident in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor