Car belonging to Hercules murder victim located

HERCULES, Calif. (KGO) -- There was a major development on Wednesday in the stabbing death of retired Hercules teacher Susie Ko. Police say Tania and Darnell Washington, both wanted for a violent West Coast crime spree, were found with Ko's car Wednesday morning in Seattle.

Hercules detectives are in Seattle now to interviewing 25-year-old Tania and her husband, 24-year-old Darnell.

"They are not officially murder suspects. They are people of interest, particularly since they were in the stolen vehicle from the Ko homicide," said Hercules Police Det. Connie Van Putten.

That blue Subaru station wagon was stolen from the home of 55-year-old Ko, who was found stabbed to death in her entry last Friday.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, officers noticed the blue car with stolen plates, there was a short pursuit, the suspects were surrounded by patrol cars as they tried to ram their way out and run over officers to escape. They were finally taken into custody at gunpoint.

"Two extremely violent individuals who, based on what we know, had really shown no hesitancy to commit violent crimes," said King County Sheriff Steve Strachan.

A sawed-off shotgun was recovered from the car. The crime spree began with an escape on Aug. 28th from the San Bernardino County Jail. Five days later, the two are suspected of shooting a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy in El Monte. In an exchange of gunfire, the deputy was wounded and they escaped. On Oct. 5th Ko of Hercules is found dead and Thursday morning, the couple was arrested in her car near the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

"We still know it's an ongoing investigation, but we are so relieved that for the first time a lot of progress has been made on my mother's case. We've been working as well with detectives, the FBI and everyone else involved, the Internet community on spreading the new about the lost vehicle," said Simon Ko, Susie's son.

The Ko's driveway is filled with candles and flowers and solemn condolences as police agencies across the West Coast investigate.

"I think this was a crime spree that very well could have continued and fortunately it was stopped through some very, very good police work," said Strachan.

The couple is in jail. Hopefully by Thursday morning authorities will be able to say what, if any, connection to the murder in Hercules.

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