Activist Jerry Bell accused of car theft
Cops: Suspect’s location presently unknown
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer confirmed that a search warrant was issued for the home of Warren activist Jerry T. Bell after his former fiancee alleged he stole her car and threatened her Monday.
Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard told police Bell drove off with her white 2006 Buick Rendezvous while she was shopping at the Shoe Rack Outlet on Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township Monday evening.
“We found out that while she was shopping at the Shoe Rack, she motioned to a clerk to call 911,” said Dwyer. “The victim indicated that she was kidnapped from a home at 7229 Hudson in the City of Warren by her ex-boyfriend Jerry Bell.”
Warren police issued a bulletin Tuesday morning indicating
Bell was wanted for questioning in connection with a reported kidnapping, strangulation and unlawful driving away of an automobile.
Police executed a search warrant at Bell’s Warren residence on Ready Avenue Tuesday afternoon and recovered Nard’s Buick, which was parked at that location. Bell was not on the premises. Dwyer indicated police were in contact with the taxi cab company where Bell is employed, as well as with the Wayne County Medical Examiner, where he also works part time.
“We are communicating with Mr. Bell but he is not cooperating with turning himself in and we are not sure where he is located at this time,” said Dwyer. “We are going to the Prosecutor’s Office for warrants that will include probation violation, stalking and any other charges that the Prosecutor would issue.”
Dwyer said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido indicated because of Nard’s position as a Macomb County Commissioner, he was recusing himself from the case and turning information over to the state Attorney General’s office. Bell is currently on probation after pleading guilty in 37th District Court to misdemeanor charges of stalking and domestic violence on Nov. 12 in relation to an incident involving Nard that took place in September. Originally, Bell was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and six felony counts, including kidnapping and felonious assault in that case, but Nard asked that all of the felony charges be dropped. Bell signed a plea agreement that required he complete 52 weeks of batterers intervention counseling and be on reporting probation for five years.
A no-contact order is currently in place between Bell and Nard. She requested during the Nov. 12 hearing that it be lifted, but Judge Michael Chupa ruled that it was to stay in place until Bell had completed 12 weeks of classes and showed proof of completion to the court.