Bellwoods busted

PARIS - State Trooper Jason Wing arrested a brother and sister Monday, and charged them both with driving while their licenses were suspended, but that wasn't all.

Stephanie Bellwood, 25, and her brother, Gregory J. Bellwood, 27, both of Oxford, were apprehended by Wing on Main Street, South Paris, a few minutes past noon. The trooper said he was just about to pass a convenience store when he noticed a Subaru station wagon waiting to make a left turn into the store parking lot. At the wheel, he recognized Gregory Bellwood, from previous interactions.

"I knew his license was suspended," said Wing. "I also knew he had a fascination with knives."

Wing turned into the parking lot, too, as Gregory jumped out. Immediately, the trooper says, Stephanie moved into the driver's seat. Although Gregory clenched his fists, he made no attempt to resist arrest.

Once both Bellwoods were secured by other officers, who quickly arrived as backup, the trooper turned his attention to a careful search for weapons.

Wing says he found a large serrated knife under the driver's seat, another behind the seat, and another, very large one with a 13-inch blade, tucked beside the driver's seat. In addition to the knives, he found a .22 caliber Stevens model 62, semi-automatic rifle with a full cartridge magazine. Wing said he also found several rounds of the ammunition in Gregory's pockets, along with yet another knife.

Most unusual, though, was that in Gregory's jacket, the trooper found a home-made martial arts throwing star.

"It was quite sharp," says Wing. "I never saw anything quite like it."

Along with the knives, Wing found a quantity of drugs, some of which were illegal narcotics, and others of unknown properties. As the investigation continues, they will be identified, which could lead to additional charges.

"They were in an unlabeled waterproof container," says the officer.

Both Bellwoods were taken to the Oxford County Jail, where Gregory was charged with trafficking in dangerous knives, carrying one concealed without a permit, and possession of scheduled drugs. Stephanie was charged only with operating a motor vehicle after her license was suspended. They were both released later that afternoon, Gregory on $500 cash bond and Stephanie on unsecured bail.

Photo: Oxford County Jail photo

Gregory Bellwood - Arrested for trafficking in dangerous knives and possession of scheduled drugs.