08/28/2026
🚨 FUGITIVE FRIDAY – “FOURTH TIME IS NOT THE CHARM” EDITION 🚨
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a Fugitive Friday.
We know. We’ve been slacking.
Well… not exactly.
We’ve actually been a little busy putting a bunch of criminals in jail, which tends to interfere with finding time to make Facebook posts about the ones who haven’t made it there yet.
But don’t worry.
Fugitive Friday is back.
And this week’s contestant apparently looked at three previous Domestic Abuse Battery convictions and said, “You know what? Let’s see what happens if I go for four.”
Meet Richard Antonio Bell, B/M, DOB 02/22/1994.
On August 26, 2026, Greenwood Police officers were dispatched to a local apartment complex regarding a reported domestic disturbance.
When officers arrived, they contacted the victim inside the apartment. Bell, however, had already left the area.
According to the victim, Bell, her boyfriend, the father of her child, and a member of the household, was at the apartment when an argument developed over Bell’s suspicions that she was cheating on him.
Apparently, healthy communication was not on the evening’s agenda.
The victim told officers that she attempted to walk away and disengage from the argument.
According to her statement, Bell approached her from behind, wrapped an arm around her throat, placed her in what she described as a “chokehold,” and applied enough pressure that she said she almost lost consciousness.
After releasing the chokehold, Bell allegedly struck the victim forcefully in the upper chest with both fists, knocking her backward onto the bed and knocking the breath out of her. She continued to complain of pain in her chest and back while speaking with officers.
Unfortunately, there was also a child inside the apartment.
The couple’s nine-year-old son was in his bedroom during the incident. Although he did not witness the physical attack, he told officers that he heard his mother screaming and heard the argument occurring inside the apartment.
The victim was able to get away from Bell and contacted the Greenwood Police Department requesting help.
When Bell saw the victim on the phone, he realized the police were coming.
According to the investigation, Bell asked the victim if she had called the police.
She didn't answer.
Bell apparently decided that was all the answer he needed...
..and left.
By the time Greenwood officers arrived, Mr. Bell had made himself scarce.
Now here’s where this story goes from bad to:
Sir, are you seriously doing this again?
Investigators reviewed Bell’s criminal history.
One Domestic Abuse Battery conviction.
Then another.
Then another.
THREE prior Domestic Abuse Battery convictions.
📅 2017
📅 2019
📅 2024
And now we’re in 2026.
At some point, “learning from your mistakes” has to become more than just a motivational quote on Facebook.
Based upon the investigation and Bell's prior convictions, Greenwood officers developed probable cause for:
➡️ Domestic Abuse Battery – Fourth Offense
➡️ Domestic Abuse Battery – Child Endangerment
➡️ Domestic Abuse Battery – Strangulation
The investigation was presented to the court, and a warrant was signed for the arrest of Richard Antonio Bell.
So Richard...
Congratulations.
You have officially graduated from “person we're looking for” to “person with a judge-signed invitation to come see us.”
And unlike most invitations, this one doesn't require an RSVP.
So, Greenwood, you know what to do.
🚨 SHARE THIS POST. 🚨
If you know where Richard Antonio Bell is, contact the Greenwood Police Department.
And Richard...
If you're scrolling Facebook wondering whether we're talking about you:
Yes.
Yes, Richard.
We are.
Three previous Domestic Abuse Battery convictions apparently weren't enough to keep you from allegedly making the same kind of decision again.
But here's the good news:
You don't have to keep wondering when we're going to find you.
You can save everybody some time and turn yourself in.
Because hiding doesn't make a warrant disappear.
Leaving Greenwood doesn't make a warrant disappear.
Deleting Facebook definitely doesn't make a warrant disappear.
And hoping we'll eventually forget about you?
Richard...
You must be new to Fugitive Friday.
🚨 If you know where Richard Antonio Bell is, contact the Greenwood Police Department. Do not attempt to apprehend or confront him yourself.
💜 NOW FOR THE PART THAT ISN'T FUNNY.
Fugitive Friday gives us an opportunity to have a little fun while asking the public to help us locate wanted people.
Domestic violence isn't funny.
Behind cases like this are real victims, real children, and real families dealing with situations that can be frightening, dangerous, and incredibly difficult to escape.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that asking for help does not mean you have to have everything figured out first.
You don't have to wait until you're seriously injured.
You don't have to wait until “the next time.”
You don't have to decide today what you're going to do tomorrow.
But please tell someone.
Call law enforcement. Talk to someone you trust. Reach out to a domestic violence advocate or victim-assistance organization. Make a safety plan. If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911.
And if you're the friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor of someone you believe may be experiencing domestic violence, don't ignore the warning signs because you're afraid it's “none of your business.”
Check on them.
Listen to them.
Believe them when they tell you they're afraid.
Help them find resources when they're ready.
And if you hear or see something that makes you believe someone is in immediate danger, call law enforcement.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone experiencing domestic violence is simply make sure they know they are not facing it alone and that help is available when they're ready to ask for it.
The Greenwood Police Department will continue doing our part to investigate these cases, hold offenders accountable through the criminal justice system, and help connect victims with available resources.
The jokes end when someone's safety begins.
💜 If you need help, please reach out.
⚖️ All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
