Two arrested in assault of blind man

Justin Shirey                            Dustin Blake

Two men have been charged in connection with the kidnapping of Matthew Fontanez in Talladega.  Fontanez, who is an employee of The Alabama Industries for the Blind, was kidnapped, beaten and robbed Tuesday morning.

According to the Talladega Police Chief of Police Jason Busby, 25-year-old Justin Shirey of Ashland, Ala. and 22-year-old Dustin Blake Harris of Talladega, were charged Thursday with kidnapping in the 1st degree and robbery in the 2nd degree in connection with the kidnapping of Fontanez.  Harris was also charged with theft of property in the 1st degree in connection to a prior motorcycle theft.  Shirey has been charged with resisting arrest and assault in addition to other felony charges through the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office. Talladega Police Chief Jason Busby said Shirey bit two officers while they tried to arrest him. After the struggle, Shirey spent two days in the hospital before he was taken to jail.

Both are detained, and bond is set at $500,000.