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News Release
Kidnapping / Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement Arrest A22-2944 - 06/27/22

At about 1345 hours of June 26, 2022 Sergeant Rob Stumph with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office was traveling on Maple St in Kelso, Washington when he saw a subject he recognized as Dakota Carras sitting in a vehicle.  Carras, age 29, had outstanding warrants for his arrest. 

 

Sergeant Stumph activated his emergency lights and gave Carras commands to exit the vehicle.  A female standing near the car also told Carras to get out of the vehicle several times.  She told Sergeant Stumph that her children were inside the car.  Carras then fled in the vehicle.  The female subject stated that she was dating Carras, but he was not the children’s father and he did not have permission to take her children.  The female subject was also the owner of the vehicle.

 

Sergeant Stumph relayed this information to responding units and learned via radio that Clark County Sheriff’s Office held probable cause to arrest Carras for Robbery and Kidnapping (unrelated to this incident). Deputies and officers pursued Carras as he drove recklessly through the Lexington and Columbia Heights areas at speeds up to 90 miles per hour before he crossed the Rainier Bridge into Oregon. 

 

Washington and Oregon law enforcement officers pursued Carras until he was taken into custody near Knappa, Oregon.  The children, a 5-year-old and a 22-month-old, were returned to their mother unharmed.  Carras was booked into Columbia County Jail on his outstanding warrants.

 

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is requesting charges against Dakota Carras for Kidnapping 1st Degree – 2 counts, Reckless Endangerment – 2 counts, and Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. 

Attached Media Files: Press Release
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