WA IAN ECKLES: Missing from Cle Elum, WA - 16 May 2020 - Age 41 *ARREST*

Search for hunter missing near Cle Elum takes a frightening turn

The mystery behind the disappearance of a hunter last seen near Cle Elum more than a week ago deepened after searchers reported spotting the man's SUV being driven by someone else.

Law enforcement alongside volunteers are looking for Ian Eckles of Kent, who was last seen May 16.

Friends say Eckles, 41, was going to meet friends for a hunting trip in the woods near Cle Ellum, but hasn’t been heard from since.

This missing person’s search took a turn when friends say they saw Eckles' Toyota FJ Cruiser being driven by another man. That unknown man was last seen driving away from law enforcement in Eckles' vehicle.

According to law enforcement, there is now a search for the missing hunter and a man hunt for the person who may have been driving his car.

Friends describe Eckles as a family man and a lifelong hunter who had recently become a grandfather. Dan Linn a friend says Eckles planned to solo camp on May 17 and then meet his hunting party the following morning but he never showed up.

“It’s also not unusual for him to skip the first morning hunt. Sleep in. So they weren’t concerned yet,” Linn said.

When he didn’t come back, friends and family knew something was wrong.

“Monday when he didn’t show up to work. That’s when we all knew something was really bad.”

Kittitas County Sheriff's Office is launching a multi-agency search by air and by land, and is asking the public to stay out of the area.

According to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office the suspect is believed to be a Hispanic or Native American male, 20s to mid-30s. He’s described as heavy set, with a chubby face, round nose, and short cropped black hair.

Search for hunter missing near Cle Elum takes a frightening turn

Friends say searchers saw an unknown man driving an SUV belonging to Ian Eckles of Kent, who was last seen more than a week ago.

www.king5.com

MEDIA - IAN ECKLES has been missing from Cle Elum, WA since 16 May 2020 - Age 41

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Manhunt launched near Blewett Pass for suspect in missing person case

BLEWETT PASS, Wash. - A manhunt is underway in the Blewett Pass area Sunday for a potentially armed suspect who is believed to be on foot and has been connected to the disappearance of a Kent man who was last seen about a week ago, sheriff's officials said. People are being warned to stay out of...

katu.com

Manhunt launched near Blewett Pass for suspect in missing person case

A manhunt is underway in the Blewett Pass area Sunday for a potentially armed suspect who is believed to be on foot and has been connected to the disappearance of a Kent man who was last seen about a week ago, sheriff's officials said.

People are being warned to stay out of the Blewett Pass area during the manhunt. Anyone already in the area is warned not to pick up hitchhikers, not to contact the suspect and to report anything suspicious, including thefts from campsites.

The suspect evaded law enforcement during the initial search and was not found despite an extensive ground and air search by multiple agencies, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.

However, officials did find another vehicle stolen in King County along with Eckles’ vehicle. That stolen vehicle is connected with multiple crimes in Kittitas County. Both vehicles were impounded.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Kittitas County Sheriff - https://www.facebook.com/KittitasCountySheriff

Updated: 5:48 P.M 5/25/2020

Fugitive believed to be using stolen tent

The Sheriff’s Office believes that the subject of the manhunt in the Mineral Springs stole a tent from a campsite early on Sunday morning. The owners of the tent had been evacuated due to the K9 search of the area. The tent is a red MSR brand ‘Hubba Hubba’ model dome-style tent with red tent poles and a light grey rainfly. A photo of the type of tent is attached in the comments section. We believe the suspect would be camping in deep cover in order to remain concealed.

Anyone who sees this type of tent is encouraged to immediately call Kittcom at 509-925-8534, or simply call 911.

 

[kdg411]

*(kind of sounds as if LE already know who they are looking for)
Anyone travelling or recreating in the area should be on the alert for suspicious activity or persons. The wanted subject is described as a Hispanic or possibly Native American man about 5’8” or 5’9” tall with short cropped black hair. He has a round or bulbous nose and scarring or pockmarks on his face. The circumstances of both the stolen vehicles and the suspect’s continued evasion of law enforcement causes serious concern. It is known that he had access to firearms and may be armed.
BBM

Manhunt continues for suspect in Mineral Springs area

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 1:45 p.m., Tuesday.

www.dailyrecordnews.com

 

[Guess Who]

*(kind of sounds as if LE already know who they are looking for)
Anyone travelling or recreating in the area should be on the alert for suspicious activity or persons. The wanted subject is described as a Hispanic or possibly Native American man about 5’8” or 5’9” tall with short cropped black hair. He has a round or bulbous nose and scarring or pockmarks on his face. The circumstances of both the stolen vehicles and the suspect’s continued evasion of law enforcement causes serious concern. It is known that he had access to firearms and may be armed.
BBM

Manhunt continues for suspect in Mineral Springs area

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 1:45 p.m., Tuesday.

www.dailyrecordnews.com

Also known maybe because the vehicles he stole had firearms in them?

 

[GrandmaBear]

It doesn't appear good for the missing man. I hope they capture him before anyone else is harmed.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

*(kind of sounds as if LE already know who they are looking for)
Anyone travelling or recreating in the area should be on the alert for suspicious activity or persons. The wanted subject is described as a Hispanic or possibly Native American man about 5’8” or 5’9” tall with short cropped black hair. He has a round or bulbous nose and scarring or pockmarks on his face. The circumstances of both the stolen vehicles and the suspect’s continued evasion of law enforcement causes serious concern. It is known that he had access to firearms and may be armed.
BBM

Manhunt continues for suspect in Mineral Springs area

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 1:45 p.m., Tuesday.

www.dailyrecordnews.com

Well I believe when he stole Ian's vehicle, he was already driving another stolen vehicle. That other vehicle was linked to several crimes in the area. My guess would be the suspect was known to be armed during those crimes.
But yes, they may very well know who he is.

 

[kdg411]

Witnesses have described the suspect as a Hispanic or Native American male, 20’s to mid 30’s. He is heavy set, with a chubby face, round nose, and short cropped black hair. He was last seen in flight from Law Enforcement wearing dark pants and no shirt.
BBM

Kittitas County Press Releases

Kittitas County Press Releases

www.co.kittitas.wa.us

 

[GrandmaBear]

Witnesses have described the suspect as a Hispanic or Native American male, 20’s to mid 30’s. He is heavy set, with a chubby face, round nose, and short cropped black hair. He was last seen in flight from Law Enforcement wearing dark pants and no shirt.
BBM

Kittitas County Press Releases

Kittitas County Press Releases

www.co.kittitas.wa.us

They certainly do have a very accurate description or so it seems...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Manhunt continues for suspect believed to be on foot in Blewett Pass area

A manhunt for a stolen vehicle and burglary suspect that started Saturday continued Tuesday in the Mineral Springs area of Blewett Pass, with the man believed to be on foot.

www.ncwlife.com

Manhunt continues for suspect believed to be on foot in Blewett Pass area

A manhunt for a stolen vehicle and burglary suspect that started Saturday continued Tuesday in the Mineral Springs area of Blewett Pass, with the man believed to be on foot.

Anyone using Blewett Pass is being warned not to pick up hitchhikers and to report any suspicious persons or activity in the area.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are assisting in the search.

UPDATE: Deputies identify suspect in Belwett Pass manhunt

UPDATE 10:08 a.m. - The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has identified the subject at the center of a days-long manhunt.

www.yakimaherald.com

Anyone traveling through the Highway 97-Blewett Pass-Mineral Springs area should expect to see increased police activity.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

This area is about an hour and a half east of Seattle.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fugitive manhunt linked to suspect in missing Kent man case

A suspect believed to have been involved in the case of a missing Kent man that hasn't been found in over a week was located Tuesday after a manhunt, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe they found the suspect in connection to Ian Eckles' disappearance, but he...

komonews.com

Suspect in missing Kent man case located after manhunt, authorities said

A suspect believed to have been involved in the case of a missing Kent man that hasn't been found in over a week was located Tuesday after a manhunt, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators believe they found the suspect in connection to Ian Eckles' disappearance, but he is not in custody. The suspect was likely located when authorities conducted a manhunt in the area of SR97 near Liberty.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sooooo he's been located but is not in custody? Is he surrounded in the woods? Is his location pinned down? Is he dead? What's the story.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Sooooo he's been located but is not in custody? Is he surrounded in the woods? Is his location pinned down? Is he dead? What's the story.

Strange way of putting it. Maybe the cops shot him? He killed himself? Or he is holed up in house with a hostage holding them off or something?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Okay so apparently they haven't found him.

Blewett Pass manhunt near Mineral Springs enters its fifth day with suspect identified

Law enforcement personnel entered their fifth day Wednesday of a manhunt for a fugitive off Blewett Pass suspected of stealing two vehicles, including one belonging to a missing man. The

www.ncwlife.com

Blewett Pass manhunt near Mineral Springs enters its fifth day with suspect identified

Law enforcement personnel entered their fifth day Wednesday of a manhunt for a fugitive off Blewett Pass suspected of stealing two vehicles, including one belonging to a missing man.

The suspect was identified Wednesday as Jorge O. Alcantara-Gonzalez, 34. He is believed to be on foot in the Mineral Springs area after fleeing Kittitas County Sheriff’s deputies Saturday who were investigating two stolen vehicles.

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said Alcantara-Gonzalez is potentially armed and dangerous.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Search continues in Central Washington for missing Kent man | Kent Reporter

Manhunt goes on for potential suspect in case; Ian Eckles last seen May 16

www.kentreporter.com

Search continues in Central Washington for missing Kent man

The search continued Wednesday in Kittitas County for a 41-year-old Kent man missing since May 16 after he headed to meet friends in Central Washington near Liberty for a turkey hunt but never showed up.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

ICE joins manhunt for suspect wanted in connection with missing Kent man | Kent Reporter

Alcantara-Gonzalez reportedly a Mexican citizen in the U.S. illegally; Eckles missing near Cle Elum

www.kentreporter.com

ICE joins manhunt for suspect wanted in connection with missing Kent man

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), joined local law enforcement May 28 in Central Washington, in the search for Jorge Omar Alcantara-Gonzalez, wanted in connection with the disappearance of a Kent man.

Alcantara-Gonzalez is a Mexican citizen who is in the United States illegally, according to a ICE press release on May 28. Between 2018 and 2019, Alcantara-Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the King County Jail on multiple occasions and released back into the community despite multiple immigration detainers.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Murder Warrant Issued for fugative Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez in the case of missing Kent man, Ian Eckles | Northern Kittitas County Tribune

nkctribune.com

Murder Warrant Issued for fugative Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez in the case of missing Kent man, Ian Eckles

Kittitas County Sheriff’s Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez, the subject of the extensive manhunt in the Mineral Springs area of Kittitas County. Alcantara-Gonzalez is charged with the suspected killing of missing 41-year old Kent man, Ian Eckles, along with possession of two stolen vehicles and numerous other thefts and burglaries in Kittitas County, including the theft of firearms.

The warrant arose from the ongoing investigation into Mr. Eckles’ disappearance. Forensic and circumstantial evidence found in Mr. Eckles’ vehicle leads Law Enforcement to believe Mr. Eckles was a victim of homicide.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the investigation into Mr. Eckles’ whereabouts with the assistance and resources of many other local, state and federal agencies. It is believed that Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez remains in the forested, mountainous area around Mineral Springs.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Murder Warrant Issued for fugative Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez in the case of missing Kent man, Ian Eckles | Northern Kittitas County Tribune

nkctribune.com

Murder Warrant Issued for fugative Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez in the case of missing Kent man, Ian Eckles

Kittitas County Sheriff’s Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez, the subject of the extensive manhunt in the Mineral Springs area of Kittitas County. Alcantara-Gonzalez is charged with the suspected killing of missing 41-year old Kent man, Ian Eckles, along with possession of two stolen vehicles and numerous other thefts and burglaries in Kittitas County, including the theft of firearms.

The warrant arose from the ongoing investigation into Mr. Eckles’ disappearance. Forensic and circumstantial evidence found in Mr. Eckles’ vehicle leads Law Enforcement to believe Mr. Eckles was a victim of homicide.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the investigation into Mr. Eckles’ whereabouts with the assistance and resources of many other local, state and federal agencies. It is believed that Jorge Alcantara-Gonzalez remains in the forested, mountainous area around Mineral Springs.

They have not found this man yet? Wow.

 

[Kimster]

They have not found this man yet? Wow.

There's a lot of places to hide in the Northwest. Lots and lots and lots of foliage and trees. The weather has been good, too. But it's supposed to pour rain today so maybe that will ferret him out.