Man poses as Meter man to kill his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend

A 44-year-old man, in Chicago Illinois, Willie Bell, has been charged with first degree murder and homicide concealment after he posed as a parking meter reader to kill his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend, 48 year old Timothy Lawrence.
According to The Tribune:

“Facebook posts show Bell growing increasingly angry that Lawrence was dating his ex-girlfriend soon after he broke up, prosecutors said. Bell was seen on surveillance footage arriving at Lawrence’s home on September 12, dressed as a meter reader.

Days before, he was seen at a Home Depot buying a workman’s vest and helmet. While wearing the vest and helmet that read ‘Meter Inspector’, he entered the home. Lawrence didn't know about Bell, but Bell knew him.
An hour later, after entering the home, Bell was seen on camera leaving it, but this time he had changed into plain clothes.”

With a bandage on one hand, Bell entered Lawrence’s vehicle, a 2004 Buick LeSabre, and used his credit card to buy fuel.

Days later, Bell returned to the home with another man in tow and entered the residence carrying a gas can. When they went in, they disabled the security camera and lit the house on fire.

Police were called just before 1am on September 14 in response to a fire in the home. As first responders were en route, the home exploded.

Lawrence’s burned body was later discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.

An autopsy determined Lawrence’s death was caused by the gunshot. His death was then determined to be a homicide.

Bell’s DNA was found in Lawrence’s car and cell phone records placed him in the home.

He has since been arrested.


Source: The Tribune