Robbery suspect captured by Sheriff’s deputy

After nearly three weeks on the run, a Corbin man who was wanted by police for an April 30 robbery has been captured and is behind bars.

Justin D. Bell, 24, was arrested at about 11:00 p.m. Saturday by Whitley County Sheriff’s Department K9 Deputy Kirk Mays. Mays was patrolling when he spotted Bell inside a yellow Volkswagen Beetle traveling along Cumberland Falls Hwy. in Corbin.

Mays stopped the vehicle and verified Bell’s identity. He was taken into custody on a warrant for the April 30 robbery, and for two outstanding theft warrants.

Bell is accused of robbing another man at gunpoint in the early morning hours of April 30. The victim, Mickey Caine, of Sadieville, was approached by Bell at the south Corbin Speedway gas station and asked him for a ride. Bell told Caine that he and his girlfriend were fighting and he did not want to get in trouble. Caine agreed to give the man a ride and followed his directions to Chestnut Road. Once on Chestnut Road, Bell allegedly told Caine to stop and then pulled a handgun and pointed it at Cain and demanded he give him his wallet. Once Cain gave Bell his wallet, the man exited the vehicle and got into the vehicle of his girlfriend, who had followed the men to this location according to Cain.

Authorities say surveillance video footage from the gas station seems to back up Cain’s story. Police were able to identify Bell using the footage.

About $150, a driver’s license and a debit card were taken during the robbery.

Bell was a passenger in the vehicle Saturday when he was arrested. The driver, 23-year-old Corinna M. Jastle, of Williamsburg, had been notified to avoid Bell and contact authorities if she saw him because he was a fugitive from justice. She now faces charges of second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension.

Mays was given consent to search the vehicle and, with assistance from Corbin Police, discovered hypodermic needles and one oval pill identified as oxycodone inside a purse. Also found in the vehicle was a Lorcin .22 caliber pistol located between the console and passenger seat, along with scales, baggies and $925 in cash.

Police say Bell was asked if he had anything illegal on him, to which he replied “no.” A search of Bell led to the discovery of “several baggies” some of which contained a crystal substance the police believe to be methamphetamine stashed in his front pocket. In his other pocket was a hypodermic needle.

Jastle also faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a prescription controlled substance not in its proper container.

In addition to the robbery charge, police also charged Bell with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), theft over $500 but less than $10,000, theft under $500 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Bell and Jastle were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center. Bell remains in jail awaiting trial.

Bell’s case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Whitley District Court on May 27.