From The Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT — A man who went on a crime spree in Center Point victimizing friends and family is now in the Jefferson County Jail facing multiple felony charges.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said that on Friday afternoon, September 25, deputies took the suspect into custody.
“On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, a gun was reported stolen to Birmingham Police Department by a family member of the eventually arrested suspect,” Joni Money of the JCSO said. “The victim reported that the offender was her 25-year-old cousin, Darius Donnell Bennett. Then on Thursday, September 24, 2020, Jefferson County Deputies responded to the 2000 block of 6th Street NE in Center Point in response to Bennett going to another family member’s home and firing shots at them. Bennett fled from the home before deputies arrived at the scene.”
Money said Bennett continued his criminal activity.
“At around 5 a.m. on September 25, Bennett returned to the 2000 block of 6th Street NE, this time focusing on a neighbor as his victim,” Money said. “Bennett reportedly smashed in the victim’s kitchen window, armed with a knife and a hand gun. When the victim saw the offender, she attempted to flee the home, but Bennett grabbed her and started beating her in the head. He then drug the victim back into the home. Bennett then took the victim’s car keys and debit card and forced the victim into her car. He drove to the victim to her bank and forced her to withdraw cash from the ATM. Bennett then drove the victim back to her home, dropped her off and left in her car, taking her cell phone before he left.”
But Bennett wasn’t through with his crime spree, Money said.
“At approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies received another call from other member’s of Bennett’s family, stating that he had fired shots at them. Deputies arrived at the 1800 block of Bond Way NE, but Bennett had already fled the scene.”
Deputies began an extensive search for Bennett and were able to take him into custody near Polly Reed Road in Center Point.
Bennett is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on three counts of attempted murder, two counts of second degree aggravated assault, first degree kidnapping, first degree burglary, first degree robbery, first degree theft of property and resisting arrest. He is being held on bonds totaling $317,800.
