Six high risk juvenile offenders were captured early this morning after they assaulted a staff member and escaped the facility they were housed in.
The incident started around 11:30 last night at Echo Glen Children’s Center in the 33000 block of SE 99th St. A female staff member was attacked and left unconscious by six male juvenile offenders. The juveniles attacked her, took her keys and radio, and locked her in a room. She laid there unconscious until other juveniles at the facility found her and reported the incident.
King County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and were assisted by troopers from the Washington State Patrol and officers from the Snoqualmie Police Department
A perimeter was quickly established in the wooded area near the facility and the Sheriff’s Office Guardian One Helicopter arrived to search the area using a FLIR. (Forward looking infrared, thermal imaging)
Guardian One was able to locate the six offenders using the FLIR. When spotted by the helicopter, the offenders split up into three groups of two and ran in different directions. Deputies in the helicopter were able to direct the deputies and K-9’s Unit’s, who were on foot in the wooded area, to the locations that the offenders were running or hiding.
One of the offenders was bitten by a K-9 dog while trying to escape apprehension. He was taken to Harborview for treatment. The other five offenders were arrested and booked at the Youth Services Center for Assault 2, Unlawful Imprisonment and Escape.
Three of the offenders were 14 years old and the other three were 15 years old. The majority of them were in the facility for Assault and Firearms convictions.
