Authories nab suspect sought in Salem robbery

Douglas Bledsoe

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Published: March 10, 2010

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The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Auburn Police Division and Opelika Police Department arrested Douglas Bledsoe, 21, of Opelika at 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Plaza Motel in Auburn and charged him with first-degree robbery.

Bledsoe’s arrest stems from a Feb. 13 incident in which Kevin Ratliff, of Columbus, Ga., reported to the LCSO that at approximately 10:15 p.m. that same day, he met Bledsoe at the Bleeker Junction gas station located on U.S. Highway 280 East in Salem to discuss the purchase of a set of vehicle rims he was attempting to sell online via Craigslist.

According to Ratliff, Bledsoe looked at the rims and asked Ratliff to follow him to his home on U.S. Highway 280 East in Salem where he would purchase them.

Once there, Bledsoe allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Ratliff, ordering him to get down on his knees.

Bledsoe then allegedly took Ratliff’s rims, a handgun, wallet, cell phone and car stereo system while holding Ratliff at gunpoint.

Bledsoe was reported as leaving the scene driving a maroon 1990s model Grand Marquis-type vehicle.

The incident is one Lee County chief investigator Capt. Van Jackson says could have ended tragically.

“Anytime a person is meeting someone trying to sell property through an ad or Internet site, a good idea would be to
select a neutral location that is well lit and well populated during daytime hours,” Jackson said. “It’s also a good idea to let someone else know you are traveling to that neutral location.”

Bledsoe is currently being held at the Lee County Detention Facility on a $100,000 bond.