WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — A 17-year-old boy and his friend 19-year-old friend were arrested in connection of the death of Jacqueline Bell, 71. Bell was the great-grandmother of the 17-year-old. His friend was identified as Micus D. Ward. Police apprehended the teens while they were en route to Kansas City.
Police said on October 5, 2013, at 8:21 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies received a call from a concerned citizen to check on the welfare of Jacqueline Bell, 71, residing in the 10200 block of NW Lee Street in the community of Cedar Mill, outside Portland, Ore.
Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and observed suspicious circumstances and entered Bell’s home. They found her deceased from what appeared to be homicidal violence. Investigators believe the crime occurred in the early morning hours of October 5, 2013.
That same morning at 8:05 a.m., an OSP Senior Trooper was notified of a driving complaint eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 251. A commercial truck driver complained that a green four-door sedan was driving between the travel lanes and almost rear-ended a commercial truck and trailer.
The trooper located a 2006 Lexus ES350 that matched the description at mile post 260 and after observing reckless driving, attempted a traffic stop. The Lexus accelerated to speeds reaching 135 mph. The Lexus took exit 273 and slowed as it re-entered Interstate 84 eastbound. The trooper took advantage of the slower speed and performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention causing the Lexus to spin out. The trooper was able to pin the driver’s door closed with the front of his patrol car. The right front passenger, later identified as Micus D. Ward, 19, from Kansas City, fled the vehicle and was captured a short time later by another trooper.
The driver was unable to flee out the left front door and was captured without further incident. The 17-year-old driver resided with his great-grandmother, Jacqueline Bell. The Lexus was registered to Bell at the Cedar Mill address.
Investigators discovered evidence that led them to accuse the 17-year-old and Ward of killing Bell then stealing her Lexus to flee back to Kansas City where they both recently lived. A motive is not known at this time. The Medical Examiners Office confirmed the cause of death to be blunt force trauma.
The 17-year-old is currently in the custody of Washington County Juvenile Services with Washington County charges pending. Ward is currently held at the Union County Jail with Washington County charges pending. It has not been determined when he will be transported to the Washington County Jail.
The charges against the 17-year-old and Ward have not been determined at this time.
This case is ongoing as leads are followed up on and additional evidence is processed.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in this case. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call 503-846-2500.