From the Trussville Tribune staff reports
PELL CITY — At around 1 a.m. on Thursday morning officers from the Pell City Police Department responded to the to the 600 Block of Kings Circle due to reports of a possible kidnapping. The reporting person, a 76-year-old female, informed officers that a suspect she knows came to her residence and asked if the victim, a 35-year-old black male and relative of the reporting party, was home. When she answered in the affirmative the suspect, and two other black males armed with weapons, entered the home and then departed the scene with the victim.
Shortly after the initial call officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of 6th Avenue where residents reported shots fired and loud arguing. The witnesses stated the suspects put the victim back in the vehicle and fled.
Officers took a suspect into custody at 19th Street and 10th Avenue at approximately 1:30 a.m. That suspect is currently being held in the St. Clair County Jail. He has not been formally charged at this time.
The Pell City Police Department began a search of evidence from both scenes and began to gear up for a search, technologically aided, to locate the kidnapped man. However, they were soon notified, by the victim, that he was in Pinson where he had been shot before he was able to get away from his captors.
In a statement, Pell City Police Chief Paul Irwin advised, “We are very happy that the reporting person and victim were able to escape with their lives and we appreciate all of the assistance from our citizens regarding this event. They were very courageous and obtained detailed information about this event that will allow us to locate and prosecute these individuals who came to our city and took a resident. We believe that the remaining suspects are in the East Jefferson County and Birmingham area and are driving a dark colored SUV and/or Mustang.”
Due to witness statements members of the Pell City Police Department believe the incident was not random, but may have been due to a dispute over property.
Anyone with information on these crimes or other criminal activity are encouraged to contact our department at (205)884-3334 or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department regarding this event.