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BELLAIRE - The chief of the Bellaire Fire Department has been suspended following allegations he physically assaulted a woman in Shadyside.
Tim Bell is accused of an assault that allegedly occurred early Sunday morning. According to a police report, officers were called to the Shadyside American Legion at 12:19 a.m. in regards to an assault.
Shadyside Police Chief Don Collette confirmed that assault charges have been filed with the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office against Bell.
Collette said that an assault took place behind the Legion after an altercation inside of the building. The situation carried over outside, where Collette said the victim was sitting in a vehicle when Bell walked over and allegedly punched her in the face.
The unnamed victim alleges in the report that a verbal argument spilled out of the Legion onto Central Ave. Bell allegedly struck her one time on the cheek with a closed fist through an open vehicle window. Following the alleged assault, Bell and an unknown driver left the scene before the police arrived.
Bellaire Mayor Robert Dodrill said that once he became aware of the situation he contacted Village Solicitor Paul Stecker to see what steps he legally could take. Following the conversation with Stecker, Dodrill suspended Bell pending an investigation. He added that the Bellaire Fire Department is a volunteer fire department so Bell doesn't receive payment from the village.
Bell was contacted and said that he has no comment on the alleged event.