Prisoner Escapes in NE During Transport

***UPDATED***

I just put two-and-two together: this is the man who torched Kathy Henderson's car just over two weeks ago! I wonder if this qualifies her for a police escort home?



From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in helping to locate an escaped prisoner.

At approximately 3:30 am, on Friday, June 30, 2006, a 1991 Mercury Capri was set ablaze at 1807 L Street, NE. A second vehicle, a 1999 Suzuki Vitary, was also damaged as a result of the fire.

A subsequent investigation by members of the department's Fifth District led to the arrest of 34-year-old James D. Bell, of no fixed address. He was arrested, without incident, at 19th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE, at approximately 4:24 pm, on Saturday, July 15, 2006, and charged with Destruction of Property. At approximately 10 am, on Monday, July 17, 2006, Mr. Bell was being transported from the Fifth District station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE, to the department's Central Cell Block, located at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW. While in the 1300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, Mr. Bell apparently managed to force or kick open the back door of the transport wagon and make good his escape.

James D. Bell is described as a 34-year-old black male, 6'1" tall, approximately 150 pounds with braided type hair. He has a tombstone-shaped tattoo with the letters "RIP" on his upper right arm and a heart-shaped tattoo with the word "TANYA" on his upper left arm. He was last seen wearing a black jump suit.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of James D. Bell, or who sees him, should take no direct action but should call police at (202) 727-9099 or 911.

From WTOP:

D.C. police are looking for a prisoner who escaped from a transport vehicle Monday morning.

Police say 34-year-old James Bell managed to kick open the door of the vehicle in the 1300 block of Maryland Avenue, Northeast around 10:30 a.m. Bell was being moved from the Fifth Police District to police headquarters.

Bell also goes by the first name Marcell. He was arrested on Saturday on charges of setting fire to a vehicle on L Street, Northeast.

Police say Bell is a black man, about six-foot-one and 150 pounds. He has braided hair, a tombstone "RIP" tattoo on his upper right arm and a heart with the name "Tanya" in it on his upper left arm.

Bell was last seen wearing a black prison jumpsuit and may still have the plastic handcuffs he was wearing when he escaped.

I have a hard time believing the plastic 'cuffs are still on....