PIERCE COUNTY—
UPDATE AS OF 1:30pm 01/11/10: Deputies have arrested Willie Santos, a fugitive who threatened to hunt down and go to war with police, in the same county where five officers were killed in the last six weeks.During an investigation lead by the Department of Corrections, Santos was located in Mason, Washington (Chelan County). After seeing himself on WMW, Santos contacted the Officer he had been threatening and verbally expressed his disapproval about being featured on the show while continuing to make threats.
Deputies were able to apprehend him outside the residence while he was attempting to get into his vehicle. They then conducted a search of the residence where illegal narcotic items were found. Charges are pending.
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You can help stop Willie Santos - a fugitive threatening to hunt down and go to war with police, in the same county where five officers have been killed in the last six weeks.
Santos is considered a highly-violent offender who's been on the run in Pierce County since October, after not checking in with his probation officer like he's supposed to.
Santos has a frightening history of domestic violence, drugs and illegally having guns, and has threatened to kill any officers who try to arrest him.
Authorities, like Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, say he blames his troubles on them and refuses to take responsibility for his actions. "He's a threat to law enforcement. He's verbally stated he's going to 'hunt down' law enforcement and kill them. He's sent text messages. He's made it perfectly clear he's 'not going back to prison', and he wants to 'take out cops'. But, he's also a danger to the public, and has multiple felony convictions for all kinds of things - I wouldn't even be able to list them off right now."
Here's a description of Willie Santos:
- Age: 46
- Ht: 5'8"
- Wt: 158 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Tattoo: "187" on his left wrist
Detectives say Santos sometimes works as a mechanic and has lived in the Fife- Edgewood area of Pierce County, but has ties to Wenatchee as well.
If you know where violent fugitive Willie Santos is right now, please don't wait for another officer to fall, and call: Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS
As always, your call is anonymous, and you could get up to a $1,000 cash for his capture.
