Police: Decatur man held 4 people at gunpoint for more than a day

Nov. 12—A Decatur man who allegedly held four people at gunpoint in his residence for more than a day over the weekend has been charged with kidnapping, according to Decatur police.

John Derek Mitchell, 45, was charged with four counts of second-degree kidnapping and remained in the Morgan County Jail on Tuesday in lieu of a total bond of $200,000.

On Sunday at 5:37 p.m. police received a call about a possible kidnapping near the intersection of Sandlin and Austinville roads in Southwest Decatur, according to a police statement. Upon arrival they made contact with two adults and two juveniles who said they had just escaped from Mitchell at his home in the 400 block of Autumnwood Drive Southwest, police said.

Based on their investigation, police said they determined that "Mitchell held all four victims at gunpoint and barricaded them inside his residence ... for more than a day before they were able to escape and contact the police."

Officers contacted Mitchell at his residence on Monday and took him into custody without incident, police said.

— or 256-340-2435

We bring to you yet another dashcam video of law enforcement using the Grappler Bumper to end a high-speed chase. While the device has been around for years, lately there have been a number of police agencies getting at least some for their fleets. Before watching this video, you might be wondering why these aren't as standard as push bars and rooftop lights, but the actual footage might cause some doubt. Watch police in Arizona use the Grappler Bumper to stop a chase. The footage comes via Thur