DES MOINES – An Iowa man wanted for the murder of a woman was nabbed hiding in a tree after violent assaults
Just before 1:00 AM Sunday morning, residents in the 2500 block of Garfield Avenue in Des Moines contacted police (DMPD) after witnessing the assault of a female. The DMPD investigation found that an adult female had been severely beaten inside a home, and a witness was chased from the home and assaulted. Neighbors intervened in the assault of the witness and the suspect fled on foot. One victim remains hospitalized with serious injuries; the second was uninjured. Officers established a perimeter and a K-9 search was initiated. An officer assisting in the search located the suspect attempting to hide in a tree. He was taken into custody without incident.
That suspect was identified as 33-year-old Richard Fleck. Further investigation found that Fleck had an active warrant for Murder – 1st Degree, issued by the Ames, IA Police Department. On February 20, 2021, at 7:02 PM, the Ames Police Department conducted a welfare check at an apartment at 407 South 5th Street. Officers entered the apartment and found a deceased female inside. After processing the apartment, investigators believe the deceased died as a result of homicide. The victim has been identified as Ranea K. Bell, age 37, of Ames.
Follow-up investigation by Ames Police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the suspect in the case as Fleck, who is now in custody.
hanf him by the balls from the same tree