County Jail Escapee Wanted for Murder Caught
Police captured the seventh and possibly the most dangerous escapee from the March 7 jailbreak from County Jail in Chula Vista Saturday afternoon after a three-hour stand-off in East San Diego, a police spokesman said.
Christopher Bell, 21, who was being held before his escape on suspicion of murder, surrendered to police in the attic of a two-story apartment complex at 3626 44th Street. Bell is accused of murdering a La Mesa man who was drawing money from an ATM machine.
Police spokesman Bill Robinson said police received an anonymous tip yesterday that Bell could be found at the 44th Street complex.
Officers arrived at the location before noon and surrounded the area. The Special Weapons and Tactics team fired flash grenades and tear gas into the second-floor room where Bell was hiding. Bell surrendered peacefully shortly after by 3 p.m. and was taken to the County Jail Saturday night, Robinson said.
Bell had had a previous run-in with SWAT officers on Feb. 12 when he was arrested after trying to evade police by running to a rooftop.
He was among 13 prisoners who escaped from the county jail; six escapees remain at large.
San Diego Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the remaining fugitives.
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