Homeless Man Facing Life In Prison For Kidnapping, Robbery

December 2, 2011

A homeless man is facing life in prison for kidnapping and robbing a church secretary.

Richard Lewis Bell entered a plea Thursday to robbery with a deadly weapon, carjacking with a firearm/weapon, and armed kidnapping before Judge Jan Shackelford.

On April 27, 2011, Bell forced Brenda Bartley, the secretary of Pine Summit Baptist Church, out of her office with some type of weapon that he had mostly concealed in a backpack. He then made Bartley drive to her bank where $500 in cash was withdrawn from her account.

Bell filled up her car with gas and eventually abandoned her at the end of Fairfield Drive. Bartley walked to the nearest gas station and contacted law enforcement. Bell was ultimately stopped in Texas 15 days later driving the victim’s vehicle. Bartley’s car was towed back from Texas with many of the defendant’s belongings which were tested and had his DNA as well as the backpack, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.

Richard Lewis Bell faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced later this month before Judge Shackelford.

Comments

5 Responses to “Homeless Man Facing Life In Prison For Kidnapping, Robbery”

  1. rebel lee on December 4th, 2011 2:42 pm

    well he’s not homeless any more

  2. Everett on December 2nd, 2011 11:07 pm

    His next address will be Lake Butler, Fl

  3. grandjoy on December 2nd, 2011 5:48 pm

    What a way to get free home and board for life at our tax expense! Hope this is not a way the homeless will act now that we have the law passed to clear the streets. Thank you Lord for watching over all involved.

  4. 429SCJ on December 2nd, 2011 2:43 pm

    Homeless nevermore. Thank you Lord for protecting Ms Bartley.

  5. JT on December 2nd, 2011 7:28 am

    Thank you Escambia County Government and ECSO for the new ordinance to clean up our streets.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News