– Bemidji woman person of interest in Faribault homicide investigation
– Woman named person of interest in Faribault homicide investigation.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : 
A 32-year-old woman from Bemidji, Minnesota, has been identified as a person of interest in the homicide of a 76-year-old man. The victim, Gary Lehmeyer, was found dead at his home in Faribault on February 5. The Faribault Police Department has released details regarding the investigation.
Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding the Death
According to a press release from the Faribault Police Department, officers responded to a welfare check at a residence on Mitchell Drive in Faribault. Upon entering the house, they discovered the lifeless body of Gary Lehmeyer. The officers determined that the circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious, leading them to process the house as a crime scene.
Evidence Points to Homicidal Violence
During the investigation, law enforcement recovered evidence at the crime scene. Additionally, preliminary autopsy findings from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Lehmeyer died as a result of homicidal violence.
Missing Vehicle and Arrest of Suspect
While at the scene, officers discovered that Lehmeyer’s vehicle was missing. A regional alert was issued, which led to Iowa law enforcement recovering the vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Dallas County, Iowa. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 32-year-old Arlene Theresa Bell from Bemidji, was arrested on unrelated charges and taken into custody at the Dallas County Jail.
Charges Against Arlene Theresa Bell
Further investigation revealed that Bell had a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and false identification information in her possession. As a result, she faces charges related to the traffic stop, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and providing false identification information. Additionally, evidence recovered from the vehicle links Bell to the theft of Lehmeyer’s vehicle, making her a person of interest in his death.
Relationship Between Bell and Lehmeyer
Authorities have determined that Bell and Lehmeyer were involved in a legally qualifying domestic relationship at the time of his death. The exact nature of their relationship remains unknown.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
While Arlene Theresa Bell is currently in custody at the Dallas County Jail in Iowa, Faribault detectives are working with the Rice County Attorney’s Office to issue a warrant for her arrest and extradition on a charge of motor vehicle theft. This will occur once her Iowa case is resolved. The investigation remains open and active as law enforcement awaits forensic testing results and conducts further inquiries.
Previous Charges Against Arlene Theresa Bell
According to records, Arlene Theresa Bell has a history of criminal charges in Minnesota. These include fourth-degree assault in Otter Tail County (April 2023), disorderly conduct in Anoka County (November 2022), fourth-degree assault on a police officer in Hubbard County (December 2021), fifth-degree controlled substance sale or possession and DWI in Hubbard County (November 2021), felony harassment in Scott County (2020), felony burglary in Beltrami County (2019), and terroristic threats in Beltrami County (2017), among other charges dating back to 2009.
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– Bemidji woman named person of interest in Faribault homicide investigation
– Woman from Bemidji involved in Faribault homicide case.
