Published February 28 2014
One month after his escape from the King County District Courthouse in Bellevue, Wendell Downs was arrested today by Bellevue Police SET officers and detectives in Renton.
On January 31 Downs escaped when being transferred from the inmate transport van to the courthouse. His girlfriend, Tanjanique Hillis was waiting in a vehicle a short distance away when Downs and Hillis fled the scene. An exhaustive search was done in the area but Downs was not located. Downs was being held on several charges including Theft, Robbery and Organized Retail Theft.
Downs was arrested today on a felony escape warrant with other possible charging to follow. He was transported to Bellevue Jail for processing and then will be transported to King County Jail.
The Bellevue Police Department wants to thank the public for their tips and our media partners for getting the information out on our search and now capture of this escapee. We also want to thank Renton Police Department for their assistance in the arrest.