Latest news with #KittitasCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Woman steals jail van with surprised passenger in backseat, Washington cops say
A 27-year-old woman stole a jail van and took off with a surprised passenger in the back, Washington deputies said. Rebecca Tupuola was in custody on theft charges out of King County when she drove off in a transport van at about 9:50 a.m. July 1 near Bowers Field airport, the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. Another inmate happened to be sitting in the back of the vehicle, deputies said, as multiple local agencies responded to try and find Tupuola. The inmate found a cellphone in the van and called 911 at 10:17 a.m. and said Tupuola dropped him off at a field, deputies said. He told authorities he saw her go into a home, return with cash and then hide in a treeline, deputies said. Deputies said they pinged the cellphone's location, found Tupuola and arrested her. The van had been 'parked for a routine transfer of inmates between King County and other jails,' the post said. 'Tupuola's transport to King County has been delayed, and she is now booked at the Kittitas County Jail,' deputies said. She may face charges of escape, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary in Kittitas County, deputies said. Bowers Field airport is in Ellensburg in Central Washington. Inmate on work release at Arby's hunted down and shot by old rivals, FL cops say More guards sexually abused women at CA prison called 'rape club,' feds say Christian school teacher accused of using AI to make child porn in Florida
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Woman steals jail van with surprised passenger in backseat, Washington cops say
A 27-year-old woman stole a jail van and took off with a surprised passenger in the back, Washington deputies said. Rebecca Tupuola was in custody on theft charges out of King County when she drove off in a transport van at about 9:50 a.m. July 1 near Bowers Field airport, the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. Another inmate happened to be sitting in the back of the vehicle, deputies said, as multiple local agencies responded to try and find Tupuola. The inmate found a cellphone in the van and called 911 at 10:17 a.m. and said Tupuola dropped him off at a field, deputies said. He told authorities he saw her go into a home, return with cash and then hide in a treeline, deputies said. Deputies said they pinged the cellphone's location, found Tupuola and arrested her. The van had been 'parked for a routine transfer of inmates between King County and other jails,' the post said. 'Tupuola's transport to King County has been delayed, and she is now booked at the Kittitas County Jail,' deputies said. She may face charges of escape, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary in Kittitas County, deputies said. Bowers Field airport is in Ellensburg in Central Washington.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
WA residents on alert as manhunt for Travis Decker stretches into Kittitas County
The Brief Authorities are searching for Travis Decker, the man accused of murdering his three young daughters, in Washington's Chelan and Kittitas counties. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any sightings, as law enforcement uses helicopters and infrared cameras in the search. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office emphasizes community involvement and continues to ask for public tips to locate Decker. Cle Elum, wash. - The Chelan County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that the sheriff in Kittitas County has been helping in the hunt for Travis Decker. There were concerns that he may have made it to the nearby Teanaway Trail area. In the meantime, law enforcement in both counties are asking residents to be on the lookout for the triple-murder suspect. Local perspective The Gardineer girls just got out of school for summer break. It should be a time for playing with their pup Olive, feeding chickens Ginger and Shelly, and hiking local trails. "It's like a pretty wooded area around here," said Phoenix Gardineer, who lives in the search area. However, many of their plans are now canceled. "I feel like we can't go on hikes anymore," said Panthra Gardineer, who lives in the search area. Because the girls and their grandma live near Ingalls Creek, they are right in the middle of the expanded search area for Travis Decker. "We are locking doors," said Phoenix. "A lot of helicopters the first day, back and forth, up and down the river, and up and down the highway," said Anitria Nicol, who lives in the search area. The Washington State Patrol has joined in the search from the sky. Spokesperson Chris Loftis says WSP has provided more than 23 flight hours of requested air support, using two Cessnas equipped with high-powered infrared cameras. "It's going to take a group effort and the community to bring this to a conclusion," said Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County Sheriff. Part of that effort has involved asking residents in the family's area to be on the lookout. "We are continuing to reach out and talk to different residents throughout Valley High and the Ingalls Creek area, to see if they have any cameras mounted to their house," said Morrison. The family will be doing their part by potentially using the camera that watches over their flock of chickens, to keep an eagle eye out for Decker. "We have a trail cam, with our chickens," said Phoenix. "I feel like he's not going to come around people with guns and barking dogs for the most part," said Anitria Nicol. For now, rather than hiking in the woods, Panthra says her new summer break hobby is taking pictures of the helicopters and planes as they continue their search. "It's like straight over our house. I look out the window and I just see the plane right out the window and I'm like, 'Wow, it's super low'," said Panthra. Here is Thursday's statement from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office: "Kittitas County Sheriff's deputies and tactical team members are maintaining elevated presence in the area near the active manhunt for Travis Decker, the man suspected of killing his three young daughters in the Icicle Creek area of Chelan County. This includes visible patrols, backcountry teams, and drones, all operating day and night. We're focused on safeguarding our community and having the right resources in place to detect and apprehend Decker if he comes to our county. The best chance for a swift and successful end to this search is intelligence that comes from the public. As people head into the wilderness in and around the Teanaway valley and Blewett Pass this weekend, we ask the public to be vigilant and alert to anything unusual. If you see Travis Decker call 911 immediately. If you learn anything that might indicate his presence or whereabouts in our county, promptly call Kittcom at 509-925-8534. Thank you to everyone who has offered information so far and to everyone who will! Thanks also to the Ellensburg Police Department for dedicating its members of the Kittitas County Tactical Response Team to this critical mission." The Source Information in this story came from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews. Seattle traffic to be impacted from upcoming protests Authorities shift tactics in search for WA triple murder suspect Travis Decker Manhunt for Travis Decker moves to WA's Kittitas County Anti-Trump 'NO KINGS' protests planned for Seattle this weekend Seattle police disperse 'ICE OUT' protesters after fire breaks out downtown Everything you need to know about Seattle Pride Parade 2025 Things to do for Father's Day in Seattle To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Wildfire breaks out near Cle Elum, evacuation orders in place
The Brief A wildfire burning near Cle Elum is estimated at 60 acres, prompting evacuation notices for people living in the area. Multiple resources have been called in to battle the Red Bridge Fire. The fire size was previously estimated at 200 acres, but has since been revised to 60 acres. CLE ELUM, Wash. - Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire burning near Cle Elum that prompted evacuation notices for people living in the area. What we know The Red Bridge Fire is estimated to be around 60 acres, burning about 7 miles east of Cle Elum. The fire was previously estimated at 200 acres but has since been revised. People living on Wiehl Road, Arrowleaf Lane, Loping Lane, Nordic Lane and Pine Duff Drive are under Level 3 evacuations, meaning leave the area immediately. Level 2 evacuations, meaning be ready to leave, are in effect for people living south of Red Bridge Road to State Route 970, and west of Teanaway Road. At least two structures were destroyed. Multiple ground and air resources are responding to the fire. The public is asked to clear the area for emergency traffic. What we don't know There is no word on the wildfire's containment at this time, though the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says it is holding at 60 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. Search for Travis Decker: Authorities identify 'new details, new search areas' in WA Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Woman dies after Seattle house fire; arson investigation underway Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 11 injured after teen speeds, causes fiery crash in Lacey Man hurt after shooting near University of Washington To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
