Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Jan 24, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Randy Patrick, Night-Side P.I.O.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2 arrested for theft

Melissa Bell was located yesterday with help from the Shreveport Narcotics agent. Bell was book into the city jail on a charge of possession of stolen things. Investigators are still following up several leads in this case and more charges could follow.

Clark has been charged with:

Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (felony)

Fugitive (felony)

Theft of goods (misdemeanor)

Charles "Eddie" Clark, W/M, 09/28/1961

Melissa Bell, AKA Melissa Hagar, W/F, 08/26/1976

Warrant from BPSO for Simple Burglary executed on Clark as well.

Clark and Bell have been pawning high dollar power tools since mid December in Shreveport, Bossier City, Marshal, TX and Abilene, TX. Bossier Parish Sheriffs office contacted the SPD after identifying Clark on a burglary of a construction sight in their jurisdiction, however, could not match the remaining items in pawn to any of his offenses. I was able to locate a burglary at GEMCO in Agurs Business district that matched several of the items pawned by Bell and Clark. GEMCO advised that Clark was actually a former employee that left in early December.

Patrol was advised of the warrant for Clark and the description of his vehicle being used in all the crimes (1996 Red Dodge pickup, tag # W860709).

Today SPD obtained a warrant each for Clark and Bell. This morning SPD Detectives responded to 7500 block of Linwood (Max's pawn shop) in reference to a fight. Apparently Clark had burglarized a vehicle early today and the victim had taken it upon himself to distribute flyers to local pawnshops with his information and the description of his missing items. When Clark showed up to Max's on Linwood, an employee called the victim, who responded to Max's Pawn Shop and held him until police arrived.

However, Bell who was in the parking lot in the truck, got away. Between the two they have pawned over 100 power tools and hand tools in the last 3 weeks.

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews