By The Associated Press
KING AND QUEEN, Va. (AP) -- A robot helped police nab a murder suspect who had eluded Westomoreland County authorities for three months.
James O’Neal Kelly, 23, of Oldhams was arrested last week after a standoff with authorities that lasted several hours at a house in King and Queen County.
Kelly is charged with murder in the July 4 shooting death of Brian O. Johnson, 30, of Waldorf, Md., during a holiday party in Westmoreland County.
Westmoreland Chief Deputy Bryon Wilkins said authorities had information that Kelly was hiding out in King and Queen and went to the home Thursday.
Two people were removed from the residence right away, Wilkins said, but Kelly refused to come out or answer the telephone or the door.
During the standoff, a state police-owned robot was sent into the home to search for Kelly.
Wilkins said the robot, which is about 2 feet tall, has a camera and listening device mounted to it that allowed police to search the home from outside.
“It was a great way to conduct a search without putting an officer in danger,” Wilkins saidl
The robot let police know that the suspect was in the attic. They finally bombarded the home with tear gas, forcing the man to come out.
Kelly was arrested and held without bond in the Northern Neck Regional Jail. He also is charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and violation of parole.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Westmoreland General District Court.