Duluth, Minnesota — A 31-year-old Minnesota man is facing serious charges after he allegedly struck a woman with his car in broad daylight and then carried her from the roadway before dumping her in an alley, according to police.
Authorities identified the suspect as Metris Javon Bell, who was driving in Duluth on Friday morning when the incident unfolded.
Reports indicate that the situation began just before 11 a.m., when Bell allegedly hit the woman and then picked up her injured body, placing her inside his vehicle — all while a witness watched in disbelief.
Witness Told Suspect Claimed He Was Taking Her to the Hospital
Charging documents describe how the witness confronted Bell after seeing the woman on the street.
Bell allegedly responded that he was “taking her to the emergency room” as he lifted the victim and carried her toward his vehicle.
However, police say surveillance footage and evidence contradict that claim, as reported by Law&Crime.
Instead of driving toward a medical facility, authorities say Bell went in the opposite direction, traveling through parts of the Central Hillside neighborhood before ultimately stopping in an alley behind the 100 block of East 3rd Street.
Investigators say existing surveillance cameras recorded Bell driving near the Damiano Center, a local social services hub, just moments before he allegedly struck the woman. After the collision, video shows his vehicle moving through various streets until he entered the alley where the victim was later found.
Victim Recalls Being Hit But Not Moved
A passerby eventually discovered the woman in the alley and called police. When officers arrived, the victim told them she clearly remembered being hit by a car, but she had no memory of who transported her or how she ended up in the alley.
She did recall faint, disjointed moments of being moved, but could not identify the person who carried her or the vehicle involved. Emergency responders transported her to a hospital, where she was treated for multiple injuries.
Police Trace Suspect Using City Surveillance Footage
Duluth Police pieced together the case using camera footage from several locations throughout the city. Investigators say Bell’s vehicle was captured multiple times, enabling authorities to reconstruct his path before and after the collision.
That digital trail ultimately led officers to Bell, who was taken into custody without incident.
According to online arrest records, Bell has been charged with:
- Kidnapping – victim not released in a safe place
- Criminal vehicular operation – substantial bodily harm – driver who causes collision leaves scene
Authorities emphasize that the kidnapping charge was applied because the victim was removed from the street and left in a location that police determined was dangerous and unsafe.
Suspect Held Without Bond; Court Date Approaching
Bell was being held Thursday without bond, according to KQDS. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 9, where prosecutors are expected to outline additional details about the case.
Court records also show that Bell has a history of prior arrests, including earlier drug-related charges, which may factor into future sentencing considerations.
Officials have not released updates on the victim’s long-term condition but say she is expected to continue recovering from her injuries.
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