West Melbourne Police Arrest Joseph Alan Bellinger In Connection With Shooting at Officer

By  //  December 13, 2017

Bellinger charged with attempted felony murder of a law enforcement officer

ABOVE VIDEO: West Melbourne Police have arrested Joseph Alan Bellinger in connection of the shooting that involved a police officer Monday night. (West Melbourne Police Department video)

UPDATE: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 • 10 p.m.

West Melbourne Police Detectives have been working around the clock and after conducting multiple interviews, executing search warrants and examining physical evidence, detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of Joseph Alan Bellinger.

According to West Melbourne Police Capt. Richard Cordeau, information was received that Bellinger was in a residence at 180 District St SE in the City of Palm Bay.

“Detectives with the West Melbourne Police Department and Palm Bay Police Department’s Special Investigations Division maintained surveillance most of the day while probable cause was established,” said Capt. Cordeau.

“An arrest warrant was issued, charging Bellinger with attempted felony murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and discharging a firearm in public.

“West Melbourne Police partnered with the Palm Bay Police Department’s SWAT Team to serve a search warrant at 180 District Street SE to affect Bellinger’s arrest. Bellinger was taken into custody without incident.”

Bellinger is in the Brevard County Jail with no bond and will go before a judge tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. Additional charges are pending.

“There is no reason to believe Amanda Peacock was involved. She has cooperated with investigators,” said Capt. Cordeau.

UPDATE: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 • 2:30 p.m.

According to West Melbourne Police Capt. Richard Cordeau, Detectives have made contact with Amanda Peacock who is not currently in the Brevard County area.

She is cooperating with the investigation and police do not believe she was in the vehicle at the time of this incident.

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES

ORIGINAL STORY: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 • 11:30 a.m.

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – West Melbourne police are seeking locate two persons of interest after a shooting that involved a police officer Monday night.

Police are looking for the vehicle’s owner, 31-year-old Amanda Michelle Peacock, and her boyfriend 27-year-old Joseph Alan Bellinger.

Authorities say Officer Joseph Jones attempted a traffic stop on a 2016 Nissan Altima Monday night for speeding around 9:20 p.m.

According to West Melbourne Police Capt. Richard Cordeau, the vehicle was speeding on Sheridan Road when Officer Jones conducted the traffic stop along Sylvan Drive in West Melbourne,

“As the vehicle continued on Sylvan Drive, Officer Jones turned on his emergency lights to conduct the stop,” said Capt. Cordeau.

“The driver responded by firing multiple gunshots at the officer through the driver’s side window. The officer backed off, then attempted to get closer to the vehicle to get a read on the driver’s license plate number. During that time, the driver continued firing shots at the officer’s vehicle.”

Police say none of the gunshots struck the officer or the patrol vehicle, however, the officer eventually lost sight of the vehicle as it continued back on Sheridan Road.

ABOVE VIDEO: The second video is the rear view which captured the sound of gunfire.

Police later located the Nissan Altima in the 400 block of Lemon Grove Avenue in West Melbourne. Authorities have not been able to reach Peacock or Bellinger since then.

All Detectives in West Melbourne Police Criminal Investigation Division are actively investigating this case.

Anyone with information on this case, particularly the whereabouts of Peacock and Bellinger, is asked to contact West Melbourne Police. You can remain anonymous by calling Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

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