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Arrest made in Gates County murder, home invasion case

Posted at 5:27 PM, Jun 13, 2015
and last updated 2015-06-13 17:27:19-04

UPDATE: Police have made an arrest in a Gates County home invasion and murder case. 

They've arrested Aaron Holland, who was actually picked up by Portsmouth Police last week for possession of explosives. He made bond earlier in the week. 

After police realized he was wanted for a murder in Gates County, he was arrested again. 

Aaron Holland

He will have an extradition trial tomorrow. 

Holland with have the choice to waive his rights and be moved to Gates County or he can fight extradition. 

If he chooses to fight it, the governor of Gates County will have to issue a warrant for his arrest, but eventually he will be transferred. That process could take up to three months. 

Gates County, N.C. - A man was found dead from a gunshot wound after his home was invaded in Gates County Saturday morning.

Gates County Sheriff Edward Webb says 43-year-old Calvin Bell was found dead from an apparent gun shot wound inside his home in the Hobbsville area of NC-37 before the intersection of NC-32 around 10:15 a.m.

With .40 caliber shell casing near his body, Bell was found shot in the face and body several times in a field near his home, according to court documents.

Witnesses saw a gold truck leaving the scene.

Records show authorities found the truck in Portsmouth with what appeared to be blood on the driver seat and damage done to the front passenger side.

June 30th Gates County Sheriff’s Officials said they’ve identified the owner of the truck and call him a person of interest but no arrests have been made.

At the time of the murder, The Sheriff told NewsChannel 3 witnesses saw two men hit a tree as they were trying to make their escape from the scene.

Records show the house was in disarray – investigators found one ounce of what they thought was cocaine in the victim’s bedroom.

The search warrant states quote, “Witnesses at the scene and law enforcement interviewed describe the victim as a drug dealer who sells cocaine."

Now the FBI is now working with Gates County investigators and Portsmouth Police to try and solve this crime.

"He was the owner who lived at the residence, it appears there was some type of altercation that took place inside the house," says Sheriff Webb. "We know it was a very chaotic scene."

Officials responded to reported gun shots, and upon arrival believe that Bell's death was the result of a home invasion.

A suspect vehicle, a champagne-colored Diesel Ford truck, with two white males inside, was seen driving away from the scene.

The truck sustained considerable damage after it crashed into a tree, but continued to drive off. Webb says the damage should be on the front of the truck, near the drivers side.

The FBI and North Carolina State Bureau are assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Gates County Sheriff's Office at 252-357-0210.