Police Issue 'Blue Alert' For Armed And Dangerous Married Couple - Lake Elsinore-Wildomar, CA Patch

Police Issue 'Blue Alert' For Armed And Dangerous Married Couple - Lake Elsinore-Wildomar, CA Patch

UPDATE: 09/13/2013:

Capt. Parker, Michael J. (SHB),  has notified us that a $10,000 Reward is being offered for the Capture and Prosecution of the Couple. If you have any information on the whereabouts of this couple, DO NOT APPROACH, Call 911 or the Numbers Listed below of this story.
 
Original Story: 

A "Blue Alert" has been issued throughout Southern California as police seek a man who allegedly shot a deputy after escaping from jail with the help of his wife.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reports that on Aug. 28, Darnell Washington, 24, escaped from the San Bernardino County Jail allegedly with the help of his wife, Tania Washington, 25.

Darnell Washington

At approximately 9 a.m. this past Sunday, an LASD deputy approached a suspicious vehicle in El Monte. Darnell Washington reportedly came out from the back of the vehicle and fired a shotgun at the deputy.

The deputy was hit, and both suspects -- Darnell and Tania Washington -- escaped in what turned out to be a stolen vehicle, police reported.

“The suspects abandoned the stolen vehicle in the City of South Gate and carjacked another vehicle,” according to a news relrease from the LASD.

The second stolen car is a light blue, 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, with a California license plate that reads 3PHK484.

Tania Washington

The suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Therefore, the LASD asks residents to immediately call 9-1-1 if they spot the pair or the vehicle.

Prior to his escape, Washington had been booked into jail for robbery and for receiving stolen property. He had a court date logged for Sept. 14.

The deputy who was shot during this weekend sustained non life-threatening injuries and has been released from the hospital, according to an update from the LASD.

A Blue Alert is issued to the public when a law enforcement officer has been killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect has fled the scene of the offense.

The alerts are intended to not only alert the public about dangerous or violent suspects who pose a threat to public safety, but also to solicit the public's assistance in the apprehension of the suspect.

Click here to read more about Blue Alerts and how to sign up for them.

Wanted Poster is Posted on the Blue Alert Web Site.

Those with information can also contact Sergeant Schoonmaker or Detective Alvarado of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Anonymous tipsters can call “LA Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting TIPLA along with your tip to CRIMES (274637), or via the website http://lacrimestoppers.org