Golden Valley News » Crime Alerts

Police Seek Help Locating Panhandling Suspect

cweiler — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:41:01 +0000

As of March 25, 2011, panhandler suspect Mark Christopher Bell has a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in court. The Golden Valley Police Department has had eight contacts with Bell since posting a crime alert March 1, 2011, warning the community about Bell’s activities in the area and asking for help locating him.

Later that evening, Golden Valley police arrested Bell for soliciting without a permit after a resident called to report Bell was going door-to-door asking for assistance because his car had broken down on the highway. Officers located Bell in the area and, after disproving his story, arrested him. He was booked and released with a pending court date.

The Golden Valley Police encourage individuals to call 911 immediately if they see Bell in the area.

Police Arrest Panhandling Suspect

cweiler — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:10:01 +0000

On the evening of Tuesday, March 1, 2011, Golden Valley police arrested Mark Christopher Bell for soliciting without a permit after a resident called to report Bell was going door-to-door asking for assistance because his car had broken down on the highway. Officers located Bell in the area and, after disproving his story, arrested him. He was booked and released with a pending court date.

Earlier that day, the Golden Valley Police Department had issued a crime alert warning the community about Bell’s activities in the area and asking for help locating him.

The Golden Valley Police encourage individuals to continue calling 911 if they see Bell in the area.

Police Issue Crime Alert About Panhandler

cweiler — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:44:57 +0000

Golden Valley Police have recently received numerous reports of an individual going door-to-door to both residences and businesses in the city asking for money. He often states he needs money to get his vehicle out of impound or that his vehicle has broken down, and he talks of being at a church in Golden Valley.

In a few cases, residents have given him cash, and in one case someone actually drove him to a cash machine to give him money. Unfortunately, these incidents have not been reported until a significant time has passed.

The suspect is lying and attempting to panhandle and scam individuals out of their money. He is most often looking for opportunities to steal.

The suspect has been identified as Mark Christopher Bell, a 50-year-old, light-skinned, African American male, 6 feet tall, 235 lbs. He is described as being well dressed.

Bell has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1983 that includes drug charges, burglary, forgery, robbery, fleeing police, weapons violations, and theft.

If you see this individual, please call 911 immediately and report his location.