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Police capture assault suspect
Tips, media coverage lead to apprehension of fugitive
LEE RELIFORD
Reliford Lee III - photo by Special
Thanks to anonymous tips and media coverage in the Statesboro Herald and other outlets, Statesboro Police apprehended a fugitive wanted in a violent aggravated battery incident.Reliford Lee III, 31, Mikell Street, was charged Monday with false imprisonment and aggravated battery after he beat a Johnson Street woman and held her against her will in her home, said Statesboro Police Capt. Scott P. Brunson.During the assault, which took place after the victim was awakened by Lee inside her home without permission, Lee punched her in the face and broke her orbital bone, according to Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner.After the woman was rendered unconscious by his blows, Lee dragged her into a bedroom, where he continued striking her, he said. He refused to allow her to leave, but eventually he fell asleep and the woman drove herself to the police department for help, he said.Brunson said Lee was apprehended in the Van Buren and Elm Street area after an anonymous caller gave information regarding his location. Statesboro Police Sgt. Larry Kirkland, Cpl. Kelphie Lundy and other uniform patrol officers responded to the area around 6 p.m .Monday and took Lee into custody without incident, he said.He was also charged with burglary, battery (family violence), obstructing persons making emergency phone calls, simple battery (family violence) and criminal trespass.
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