FERNDALE, Wash. — Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) released a statement this afternoon regarding the increased law enforcement presence, including a US Customs and Border Protection helicopter, in the area of W Axton Road and Northwest Road early this afternoon.
According to the statement, about noon today, October 19th, WCSO deputies were alerted that 2 minimum-security inmates assigned to a WCSO in-custody work crew had fled the work crew transport vehicle while it was parked near the intersection of Northwest Drive and W Smith Road. Both were reported to have ignored orders to stop.
WCSO and other agencies responded to the report of the escape and performed a K9 search with the assistance of the helicopter.
As of 4:30pm, both escapees were still being sought and deputies were following up on tips regarding the subjects’ whereabouts.
The 2 escapees, as identified by WCSO, are
- 25-year-old Jonathan E. Pickett of Ferndale
White male, 5’10”, 180-lbs with brown shoulder-length hair
Last seen wearing a Kennedy Space Center jacket and blue jeans
In custody for violation of a no contact order - 24-year-old Christopher J McCracken of Blaine
White male, 5’8″, 140-lbs with short brown hair
Last seen wearing a dark hoodie and blue jeans
In custody for burglary and possession of a controlled substance
Anyone with information about the location of either suspect are asked to call 911.