Man Charged in July Kidnapping

DeKalb County officials said Thursday that they had charged a man in the disappearance of a woman from her apartment off Roxboro Road in July.

Jasper Keels, 24, of Decatur has been charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Monica Bowie. Bowie was reportedly abducted from the Berkshires of Lenox apartment complex in early July. Witnesses said they had heard a woman screaming, then saw a burgundy car speeding away.

Bowie's burgundy 2002 Mercury Sable was found burned in southwest Atlanta a few days later. Keels was arrested at that point and charged with theft-by-taking, but was not charged with Bowie's kidnapping until this week.

Keels has been in the DeKalb County Jail since that point on the earlier charges.

"We have not established the whereabouts of Ms. Bowie, but we suspect she has met with foul play," said DeKalb County Police Lt. Tim Hunt.

Police said they believe the arrest is the first of many in Bowie's disappearance.

"The motive behind this kidnapping is believed to be illegal narcotics activity," said Hunt. "We have not established that Mr. Keels knew Ms. Bowie."

Police won't say if the motive is related to Bowie's June arrest on weapons charges. After she went missing, friends searched neighborhoods, including her mother, who flew down from Pittsburgh, Pa.

Bowie's lawyer said that her mother is pleased by the case's progress.

"She is excited about the things that are going on in this case," said attorney Gerald Griggs. "We're happy that there has been someone charged. We don't want to jump to judgment. We just hope this case will come to a complete resolution and that Monica will be safely returned."

Police are looking for help from the public, and they said they anticipate making more arrests.