Armed convicted felon arrested for stealing niece’s SUV

Bendrick Nashon Kelly

By Joe Johnson

A Walton County man was arrested last week when caught with an SUV he reportedly stole from his niece.

Bendrick Kelly, 47, had moved from Monroe to live in Athens with his niece, and when the woman’s 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe went missing from her home on Sarsen Circle, she immediately suspected that her uncle was responsible.

Kelly and the vehicle were located the following day at the gas pumps of Airport Mini Mart on Winterville Road.

A loaded pistol and bag of marijuana were inside the Tahoe.

Police noted that Kelly had a lengthy criminal record that includes felony convictions in Athens.

He was arrested on charges of theft by taking a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Kelly was additionally charged with obstruction for faking a drug overdose that had police taking him to the hospital to be medically cleared prior to being booked into jail.

He is being detained pending a bail hearing that is scheduled for March 11.