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Former Orioles Slugger Arrested Again on Stalking Charges

Albert Belle (Photo: AP)

05/18/2006

PHOENIX (AP)- Albert Belle was arrested on a new stalking charge for allegedly making phone calls to a woman he already was charged with harassing.

The 39-year-old former baseball star was arrested by Scottsdale police at his home Wednesday after they investigated new allegations that he made calls to his ex-girlfriend, Sgt. Mark Clark said. Belle is set for a court appearance Thursday in Scottsdale.

Belle was awaiting trial on a felony stalking charge filed in February. The police probable cause statement in that case said his former girlfriend discovered a GPS device that had fallen off her car in January, and that he had threatened her. He was released on bail, subject to electronic monitoring and ordered not to contact her.

Last month, the former girlfriend called police and said she was receiving hang-up phone calls, Clark said. Detectives began an investigation and checked phone records, which showed the calls were coming from Belle. Last week, Belle called and spoke with the woman.

"The nature of the conversation was harassing but not threatening," Clark said.

That was enough probable cause to arrest Belle for felony stalking and violating the previous court order, he said. Clark said because Belle is accused of committing another felony while out on bond, he is ineligible for bail in the new case.

A probable cause statement filed in the new case says the woman "became terrified and asked the defendant if he was crazy contacting her while on release" from the earlier case.

The volatile Belle often ran into trouble on and off the field during his playing days.

A five-time All-Star outfielder, Belle hit 381 career home runs in a 12-year career that began with the Cleveland Indians in 1989. He also played for the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore before retiring in 2000 after his second season with the Orioles.