Road Block
Law enforcement officers blocked off the Fremont Lake Road at the lake overlook on Saturday, May 14th while the search for DJ Harrison is ongoing. Photo by Tyler Foster.
|
Law enforcement
Law enforcement personnel from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Green River Police Department, Rock Springs Police Department, Utah Department of Public Services (UDPS), and the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the search for DJ Harrison. In addition to ground crews, the Utah Department of Public Safety had a helicopter equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system involved in the search. Photo by Tyler Foster.
|
Kidnapping-Assault suspects
Flint Wayne Harrison (age 51, left), turned himself in early Saturday morning at the Sublette County Detention Center. Dereck James Harrison (age 22, right), remains at large and believed to be in the Pinedale area. He is considered armed and dangerous. Photo courtesy Centerville, Utah Police Department.
|
|
Search suspended overnight for missing suspect
Father turned self in, son still at large and believed to be in the Pinedale area
by Sublette County Sheriff’s Office media release
May 14, 2016
Pinedale, Wyoming – Saturday, May 14, 2016, UPDATE 8:15PM)
A search for the missing suspect, Dereck James "DJ" Harrison (22), was suspended for the night after law enforcement officials spent most of the day searching the area of Half Moon Lake in Sublette County.
The multi-agency effort, involving law enforcement officials from the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Green River Police Department, Rock Springs Police Department, Utah Department of Public Safety, US Marshall’s Office and US Forest Service, spent most of the day searching in and around the Half Moon Lake campground for the suspect after his father, Flint Wayne Harrison (51), turned himself in to the Sublette County Detention Center for warrants stemming from his involvement in a kidnapping and assault case that occurred in Centerville, UT, earlier this week. Flint, who owns a home in Pinedale, spoke little about the criminal case with investigators, and that case is still actively being investigated by Centerville Police Department. He did describe the location where he left his son sometime during the evening of May 13, before making his way to the detention center in Pinedale.
Shortly before dusk, ground teams located a makeshift campsite with gear that had been reported as being in the possession of Dereck. The team did another sweep of the Half Moon Lake lodge and surrounding area before suspending the search for the night.
Dereck, who had been reported to have very little camping gear and adequate clothing for spending any significant length of time in the backcountry, was also reported to be in possession of two knives, a .300 win mag rifle and a .22 Remington 10/22 rifle. It was also reported that he had several high capacity magazines. Additionally, he had made several threats against law enforcement officials.
In addition to ground crews, the Utah Department of Public Safety was able to send a helicopter equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system. The helicopter was able to fly over the area for much of the afternoon before weather grounded the aircraft.
"At this time, there is no reason to believe that the citizens are in any immediate danger," Colonel Mark Farrell stated. Pinedale citizens had been asked to consider sheltering in place throughout much of the day, and the Sheriff’s Office still ask that they use extra caution until the suspect is apprehended. "We know he has made direct threats against law enforcement," Colonel Farrell said, "But we do not believe he has left the Half Moon Lake area. The discovery of the campsite leads us to believe that he (Dereck) had a plan to stay in that forest area."
The Fremont Lake Road has been blocked since approximately 4:30 am, and the block will remain in place until the suspect is apprehended. Citizens are asked to stay away from the area until the situation is under control. The search will resume at daylight.
Anyone with any information can contact the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, 307-367-4378.
__________________________________________
Utah suspect remains at large in Sublette County
(Pinedale, Wyoming – Saturday, May 14, 2016- UPDATE 3:00PM)
The search continues for the Utah fugitive accused of kidnapping and assault in Sublette County this afternoon. Dereck James "DJ" Harrison (22), is wanted on charges stemming from an incident that took place earlier this week in Centerville, UT. His father, Flint Wayne Harrison (51), who was also a suspect in the case, turned himself in overnight to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and began assisting investigators in locating his son.
In a coordinated effort led by the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Incident Command, law enforcement officers from Sublette County, Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Green River Police Department and the Rock Springs Police Department continued searching areas of interest in the Half Moon Lake area and surrounding forests. A helicopter from the Utah Division of Public Services was also on hand to assist with the search as efforts continued on the ground.
As of 2:30pm, the Half Moon Lake campground had been evacuated by law enforcement and nearby homes and buildings were cleared. One camper stated that he had seen a man fitting the description running away from the campsite earlier this morning, and searches continued this afternoon.
A search warrant was also served on the home of Flint, at an address in Pinedale. The home was clear and there was no sign that his son had been in the home.
Dereck is believed to be armed with two knives, and is possibly carrying a .300 win mag rifle and a .22 Remington 10/22 with high capacity magazines. It is reported that he has limited camping gear and food supplies. He has made several direct threats to law enforcement, but there is no reason to believe that citizens are in immediate danger.
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office continues to block access to Fremont Lake Road and advises citizens to stay away from the area until further notice. Residents needing access to their homes in the area have been provided escorts, though it is on a case by case basis.
The Sheriff’s Office also asks that residents of Pinedale continue staying in or at their homes and consider sheltering in place until the suspect is apprehended.
Anyone with any information can contact the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, 307-367-4378.
__________________________________________________
UPDATE: Utah suspect still at large
(Pinedale, Wyoming – Saturday, May 14, 2016, 10:20AM)
UPDATE - In a joint effort involving law enforcement personnel from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Green River Police Department, Rock Springs Police Department, and Utah Department of Public Services (UDPS), the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office continues to work diligently to apprehend the remaining suspect, Dereck James Harrison (22), from the kidnapping and assault case that occurred earlier this week in Centerville, UT.
At this time, efforts are being coordinated to evacuate the Half Moon Lake campground. A helicopter with infrared search capabilities has been requested from the Utah Department of Public Services and a roadblock is still in effect for Fremont Lake Road. Though no residents have been directly threatened, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office is asking Pinedale residents that if they do not have to leave their homes for any emergency purposes, to consider sheltering in place until the suspect is apprehended.
Dereck’s father, Flint Wayne Harrison (51), turned himself in this morning at approximately 1:45 am, to the Sublette County Detention Center after arriving in the area a few days earlier. It has been reported that Dereck is camping in the Half Moon Lake area of the county, and has made direct threats towards law enforcement officials. He is considered armed, believed to have two knives, and possibly a .300 win mag rifle, as well as a .22 Remington 10/22 with high capacity magazines, and is considered extremely dangerous.
Both men are wanted for kidnapping and assault charges stemming from an incident that occurred in Centerville, UT earlier this week. After the men fled, their vehicle was found abandoned in the Farmington, UT area. At that time, there was no indication that either of the men would be returning to the Sublette County area.
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office will continue updating the public as information becomes available.
Anyone with any information can contact the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, 307-367-4378.
Related Links:
Father turns self in, son is still at large in Sublette County - Sublette County Sheriff’s Office media release, May 14, 2016
Sublette County assists with BOLO for Utah kidnapping suspects - Sublette County Sheriff’s Office media release, May 11, 2016
Suspects wanted for tying up Utah family say they will ‘go out in a blaze of glory' - Fox13now.com, May 11, 2016
Mom, daughters escape captors after tied up in Utah basement; suspects wanted - Fox13now.com, May 11, 2016
Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault - Centerville Police Department Media Release, May 11, 2016
|
