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Police: Fugitive arrested in Jacksonville apartment complex

Jacksonville families say they’re relieved after federal agents took a wanted armed suspect into custody.

U.S. marshals confirmed 41-year-old Demarcus Bell was wanted after he allegedly pulled a gun on a marshal in Macon, Georgia.

Deputies said he was wanted in connection with a homicide in Cordele, Georgia. Marshals tracked him to a Jacksonville apartment complex where he was arrested in February.

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“A stray bullet could’ve hit the children. It could’ve been anything,” Jacksonville mom Angela Hill said.

She lives across the courtyard from the Lake Shore Blvd. apartment where Bell was taken into custody.

Officers say they found a gun inside the apartment after he surrendered.

“I’m very glad that he’s not out here anymore,” Hill said. “You never know who anyone is.”

Bell’s arrest comes a few weeks after two other fugitives were taken into custody in Jacksonville.

Marshals arrested O’Derrick Mosely, wanted for murder in Mississippi, at a Durkeeville apartment March 1.

Agents took Lester Pearson into custody March 15. He was wanted for allegedly shooting an New York Police Department officer in 1999.

Marshals tell Action News Jax  reporter Brittney Donovan that the arrests are among hundreds made each year in Jacksonville.

“Anywhere between 200 and 300 a year over here and that’s including getting them here or when they flee here,” Mike Pagliughi, supervisory inspector, said.

Pagliughi said many fugitives likely end up in Jacksonville because of its location in the I-10 and I-95 corridor.

“They get here, they get intimidated that Miami is still another 300, 400 miles away, so they just settle in,” he said.

Families said they’re being more careful after the takedown at their apartment complex.

“Be more cautious about how I let my kids out, what time I let them be out, who they associate with,” Hill said.

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