Man Accused Of 3-Day Crime Spree In Center Point Arrested

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A man who is accused of a series of crimes that spanned from Wednesday to Friday has been arrested. The reported victims of the crimes are all family members or friends of Darius Donnell Bennett, who was taken into custody Friday.

Sgt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said a gun was reported stolen to the Birmingham Police Department by a family member of Bennett's Wednesday, then Jefferson County Deputies responded to the 2000 block of 6th Street NE in Center Point Thursday in response to reports of Bennett going to another family member’s home and firing shots at them.

Money said Bennett reportedly smashed a friend's kitchen window, armed with a knife and a hand gun early Friday morning. When the victim saw the offender, she attempted to flee the home, but Bennett grabbed her and started beating her in the head, according to reports. The victim said Bennett then drug her back into the home, took her car keys and debit card and forced her into her car.

He drove to the victim to her bank and forced her to withdraw cash from the ATM, Money said. Bennett then drove the victim back to her home, dropped her off and left in her car, taking her cell phone before he left.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Friday, deputies received another call from other member of Bennett’s family, stating that he had fired shots at them. Deputies arrived at the 1800 block of Bond Way NE, but Bennett had already fled the scene. Money said deputies began an extensive search for Bennett and were able to take him into custody near Polly Reed Road in Center Point.

Bennett is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on three counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, theft of property and resisting arrest. His bonds total $317,800.