A repeat offender is wanted by Columbus police for kidnapping, beating and firing a gun at his ex-girlfriend, Thursday.
James Earl Moore, 30, of 2022 Strawberry Street, allegedly tricked his 18-year-old former girlfriend into entering his gold Honda Thursday by asking her to style his niece”s hair, said Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Terrie Songer. The encounter took place at 521 11th St. N., although the ex-girlfriend lives on Military Road.
In her report to police, the woman claimed Moore offered to let her drive his car to meet his niece, but when she sat in the driver”s seat he punched her in the face and sat on top of her, pinning her against the center console. The woman cried out for help, at which point her brother moved to help her, but Moore drove away and the brother called 911.
While driving, the victim claims Moore made threatening statements. When he stopped at a house near Third Avenue North and exited the vehicle, the woman fled on foot. She says Moore chased her on foot with a gun and fired several shots at her.
The woman encountered a man entering his vehicle and asked for assistance. The man drove the woman to the police department where she filed her report. Police say distinct bruising was visible on the woman”s face.
No shell casings were found in the area where the woman was chased.
Police are currently searching for Moore who is charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Moore”s criminal record dates back more than a decade and includes charges of rape, domestic aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon, sale of cocaine and possession of marijuana. He was last arrested in November and charged with simple assault of a minor.
New Year”s incidents
n At 12:07 a.m. officers responded to a report of gunshots at 138 Beech St. Upon arrival, an officer witnessed Stanley Erby outdoors with an assault rifle. The officer exited his vehicle and commanded Erby to drop the weapon, but Erby reloaded the weapon and fired several more shots in the air before running into the house.
When additional officers arrived on the scene and knocked on the house”s door, the Erby”s wife answered and officers witnessed Erby naked inside the house.
The police report states an affidavit was filed against Erby.
– At 12:11 a.m. officers responded to a report of shots fired at 1303 Waterworks Road. A man at the home admitted to twice firing his shotgun in the air and was ticketed for discharging a weapon in city limits.
– At 3:30 a.m. officers responded to a report of a woman brandishing a knife at 1005 Fourth St. S. The woman claimed she and her boyfriend had been fighting. Her boyfriend was present at the scene and admitted to hitting the woman during the course of the fight when she threatened him with the knife. Both individuals were cited for domestic disturbance.
– Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G reported six wrecks occurred New Year”s night with no fatalities and one injury. One wreck was alcohol related. Troop G issued 120 tickets, including eight for DUI.
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