One arrested; 'person of interest' sought in robbery

LJWorld.com weblogs The Lawrence Crime Blotter

Posted by Eric Weslander August 25, 2006 at 10:45 a.m.

Lawrence Police have arrested the suspected lookout man and are looking for a second "person of interest" in an armed robbery last night at a convenience store near 23rd and Iowa Streets.Marcus J. Bell, 20, was booked into jail about 2 a.m. today for aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. Police said they believe he served as the lookout in a robbery about 9 p.m. Thursday at Presto Convenience Store, 2330 Iowa.Bell lists a nearby address in the 2100 block of West 26th Street. Police arrested him after receiving a tip about 9:30 p.m. on the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline.Police are still looking for Lawrence resident Darnell Thomas, 20, but they stopped short of calling him a suspect this morning."He's a person that we'd like to talk to," LPD spokeswoman Kim Murphree said.A store clerk said that a man with what appeared to be a single-barrel pump shotgun stormed into the store and began to scream and curse. The only customer inside followed orders and dropped to the ground.With the gun near his face, Downing emptied the register and placed the cash onto the counter.Other police-related news today:¢Death ruled suicide:The death of a 40-year-old Olathe woman found dead April 30 in a burned-out car near Rock Creek Boat Ramp at Clinton Lake has officially been ruled a suicide. The Douglas County Sheriff's office made that notification Thursday to Carolyn A. Bower's family, following the completion of an autopsy report. Coroner Erik Mitchell had previously said it would be unlikely if her death were ruled foul play.¢Beer-bottle battery: Police arrested 24-year-old Taylor Jay Pratt of Lawrence early this morning on suspicion of hitting a 20-year-old Kansas University student in the head with a beer bottle around 11:10 p.m. Thursday night at the Cadillac Ranch, 2515 W. Sixth St.¢Home burglary: 1500 block of Kentucky: Nearly $3,000 in property, including a Dell computer, flat-screen TV, DVD player, two watches and a gold chain, were stolen in a forced-entry burglary between 4 p.m. Aug. 15 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.-contributed by [Eric Weslander.][1] [1]: http://www2.ljworld.com/staff/eric_weslander

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Centrist 6 years, 9 months ago

Umm ... suicide by fire?? Horrible choice of methods ... unless she took something before burning up her car. Seems odd, but who knows.

Pywacket 6 years, 9 months ago

It's very unlikely that she calmly lit a fire then sat in the car waiting to die. She could've shot herself, slit her wrists, etc. The fire may not have even been intentional--look how many smokers start fires in their homes by accident. It's possible this poor woman could've been a smoker, lit up a last one, then left it burning when she did whatever she did. If a cig tumbled onto a carseat or carpeting, it could've smoldered until igniting something.

Unless the officials release more information, I think it would be logical to assume that she did something "decisive" prior to the fire being started (whether it was started intentionally or not).

Whatever the scenario, it's a very sad story. The fact that she left behind a son compounds the tragedy. It's a horrible thing when someone feels so hopeless about her life that the pain she will leave her loved ones seems somehow less than the pain she has been enduring herself. I hope that boy has a lot of loving, caring adults in his life.

Mike Blur 6 years, 9 months ago

Dollar-anything night at the Ranch strikes again.

Ragingbear 6 years, 9 months ago

Darnell Thomas. Registered sex offender... Lives at the Salvation Army or the Lawrence Open Shelter.

Sheila Couchman 6 years, 9 months ago

I didn't know that one was on the list. But that Marcus Bell is bad news all the way...

00jester 6 years, 9 months ago

Oh, well better ban beer bottles, public service and convienece stores...Progressive lawrence

jennifermarti 6 years, 9 months ago

The case that was ruled a suicide-I heard that she was going through a nasty divorce and was due in court with her ex a couple days after the "suicide"???

brando 6 years, 9 months ago

2100 block of W. 26th street??? Redblood Lane strikes again....

I was driving down Iowa thursday night and I see cop cars fly by me...now I know why. I'm glad my end of 26th street is quiet.....

H_Lecter 6 years, 8 months ago

Maybe she watched that classic movie, Harold and Maude before she commited suicide. A delightfully funny film if you haven't seen it.

CamisDaughter 6 years, 5 months ago

The whole ordeal with the woman who commited suicide...

The woman's name was cami bower, she was my mom. She has 3 kids a daughter and 2 sons.

She did infact take someone before the fire reached her ody. She felt nothing.

No she did not watch a "happy movie" H_lecter you ignorant prike.. have some respect!

The divorce was already through... and he past life has nothing to do with the event of her commiting suicide.

LJworld is a distastful tabloid that is only interested in a story. Please remember that family does read these blogs and by you typing what you feel is funny/interesting may hurt someone else.

acg 6 years, 5 months ago

CamisDaughter, I'm really sorry about your mom. Please don't be annoyed with the folks on the boards. Every story touches someone's life personally, and sometimes it's hard to remember that when you're removed from the situation. Also, it's easier for people, as a rule, to deal with situations that are uncomfortable or extremely sad with humor and it's not directed at you, or your family or even your mom. I guess all I'm saying is sometimes it's more cathartic to laugh than cry at the things that go on around us every day. You're in my prayers.

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