CAPTURED: WMW tips lead to wanted felon accused of breaking into ex's home to hide, attack when she returned
CAPTURE UPDATE March 12, 2021 - Bellevue Police and King County Sheriff's detectives arrested Fernando Gastelulm on Thursday.
Bellevue Police say detectives recieved a WMW viewer tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound that led to Gastelum's location. SWAT and a K9 unit responded and spotted him in the 3200 block of 158th Ave. SE. He tried to run, but K9 'Ghost' was able to get him into custody.
"Officers worked very hard to apprehend this violent suspect, but without the support and excellent work by K9 Ghost, this suspect would have likely escaped again and continued to pose a threat to the public. Bellevue is a bit safer having this person off the streets," said Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett.
Bellevue Police K9 'Ghost'
Gastelum had felony warrants for:
- Escape from Community Custody for Robbery 1st Degree
- Domestic Violent Assault 2nd Degree
- Domestic Violence Residential Burglary
- Other misdemeanor Domestic Violence warrants
Gastelum was booked into the King County jail and is being held on $125,000 bail.
He is WMW Capture #1203
-----ORIGINAL STORY February 19, 2021-----
FUGITIVE WANTED IN KING COUNTY --
Convicted felon, Fernando Gastelum, is wanted on charges of Assault in the 2nd Degree and Residential Burglary-Domestic Violence.
Federal Way Police say he didn't have a key to a woman's home, so he broke-in while she was gone and then waited for her to return. "She had been out of town and comes home late on the evening of Friday, January 15th to her apartment in Federal Way and what she doesn't know is that Fernando, her former boyfriend, is lurking in the corner. He comes out, attacks her, while she is struggling to breathe with his arm around her neck strangling her, she's eventually able to break free, gets outside her home and is able to call 911," said King County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Meyer.
Fernando took off before police got there and saw the injuries to her neck and face.
He has numerous prior convictions including Robbery 1st Degree, resisting arrest, hit and run, harassment and theft.
He has tattoos on his right arm and both wrists along with scarring on his left forearm.
He’s 23 years old, 5'8", weighs 180 pounds and was last known to live in Renton.
Detectives say he may be driving a gold Honda Civic with a black hood and a white bumper.
If you know where deputies can find him, Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000 when you submit a tip through the P3 Tips app on your smart phone, or call the hotline at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).