Kidnapping suspect arrested quietly' at home
By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
Jan. 27, 2001
A Lauderdale County man police said was armed and dangerous "went quietly" as authorities took him into custody on kidnapping charges late Friday at his family home.
Earl Junior McClelland, 39, of 4855 McDade Road, was arrested and charged with kidnapping about 5:30 p.m., and was being held late Friday on $20,000 bond in the Lauderdale County Detention Facility.
Johnson was assisted by a Lauderdale County sheriff's deputy because of the jurisdiction of the arrest.
McClelland is accused of kidnapping his 31-year-old former Meridian girlfriend from Cedar Bend Apartments on Monday and holding her against her will for two days before releasing her Wednesday. He allegedly forced her into his car and assaulted her in a wooded area before driving her down back roads and across state lines into Alabama.
Johnson said since the incident, he continued to check the suspect's home, where McClelland's parents and some siblings live.
Police said McClelland is expected to make an initial appearance before a local judge on Monday.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.