By Fox23.com News Staff
WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office said they’re searching for a suspect after he ran from deputies attempting to take him into custody.
Around 6:48 a.m. on Jan. 22, the sheriff’s office said they responded to a crash involving two vehicles near State Highway 51 and South 385th Avenue.
At the scene of the crash, deputies said one of the passengers—identified as Darren G. Howard from Hulbert—was found to have outstanding felony warrants in Cherokee County.
Authorities said Howard ran when they attempted to take him into custody, fleeing across several lanes of traffic.
Deputies said they ran after Howard and used a taser, but Howard was able to make it into a wooded area and escape.
Though several agencies and a Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit searched the area for Howard, he wasn’t able to be located.
On the same day around 9:42 a.m., an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper stopped the same vehicle involved in the earlier crash near Mile Marker Six on the Muskogee Turnpike.
According to the trooper, it’s believed Howard jumped out of the car and once again ran away on foot.
Authorities identified the driver of the vehicle as David Howard of Hulbert, the brother of suspect Darren Howard. After investigating, authorities said they believe David helped his brother escape capture the first time he ran from authorities earlier that morning.
David Howard was transported to the Wagoner County Jail and will be facing charges of Harboring a Criminal or Fugitive.
The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office stated they’ll be requesting additional warrants for Darren G. Howard.
Authorities are still searching for Howard and stated he’s known to frequent the Hulbert area in Cherokee County.
If you have any further information on this incident or about where Darren Howard may be, please reach out to the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office at 918-485-3124.
