Wednesday, April 4, 2001
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Wednesday, April 4, 2001 |
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2 arrested in north Fayette home invasion By JOHN MUNFORD
Police are looking into whether a third assailant participated in a home invasion at a north Fayette residence early Friday morning. One of the suspects currently in custody, Claude James Bell Jr. of Union City, has actually served almost five years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in Fulton County stemming from a 1990 incident. Bell was arrested for the home invasion along with his cousin, Shannon Deshun Bell. Both are charged with armed robbery, while Claude Bell also faces charges of burglary, kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Claude Bell's bond was set at $205,000 while Shannon Bell's bond was set at $50,000. Investigators from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department arrested the Bells at a girlfriend's home in Palmetto Friday, less than 12 hours after the crime was reported. According to warrants issued for Claude Bell's arrest, he pulled the hair of one of the victims and dragged her around the house. He also pointed a gun at one of the victims, the warrant states. The suspects invaded the residence on Jonesboro Road around 5 a.m., said FCSD Maj. Bruce Jordan. One of the five victims at home during the invasion was able to run away. A gunshot was fired, although no one was hurt, Jordan added. During the execution of a search warrant, a sawed-off shotgun was recovered which may have been used in other crimes, Jordan said. The attackers were identified by their victims despite trying to conceal their identities with ski masks, Jordan said. At the time he was arrested, Shannon Bell was out on bond for four counts of cruelty to children and one count each of aggravated assault, possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to records at the Fayette County Magistrate's Office.
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