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Steubenville officers nab man wanted in car, gun theft

STEUBENVILLE — The Saturday daylight shift had just started for the City Police Department when they received a call from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.

“We had a phone call telling us a Devon Bellum of Mingo Junction was visiting a girl in Cadiz and he had stolen a family car and a gun and was believed heading to North Forest Street here in Steubenville. We immediately started patrolling the area as well as other parts of the city, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. The individual had reportedly made a statement in Cadiz that he had a gun and would not be taken alive,” said Police Sgt. Sam Boni Saturday afternoon.

“Officer Geoff Palmer was stationed at the car wash on Sunset Boulevard when he spotted the gold Volkswagen Jetta proceed from North Forest onto Sunset Boulevard and then onto Chestnut Alley. Officer Palmer immediately pursued the vehicle and was able to stop Bellum and secure him,” continued Boni.

“The officer found loose bullets on Bellum and a .40-caliber magazine in the car. We then walked the alley and found the gun stolen from Cadiz. Officer Palmer was assisted at the arrest scene by Jefferson County Deputy Jeffrey Sterling,” Boni explained.

Bellum, 29, of 263 Commercial Ave., Mingo Junction, was charged by City Police with having a weapon under a disability because of past felony convictions, tampering with evidence, improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle and driving under a suspended license.

“There are also charges now pending out of Harrison County. This quick arrest was done with the help of two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, two Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies and four of our own officers,” stated Boni.

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