Kent Police arrested Chris W. Smith, a sex offender on the Washington State Department of Corrections most wanted sex offender list. - COURTESY PHOTO, state DOC
COURTESY PHOTO, state DOC
Kent Police arrested Chris W. Smith, a sex offender on the Washington State Department of Corrections most wanted sex offender list.

Kent Police apprehend man from state's most wanted sex offender list

By STEVE HUNTER
Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter
April 13, 2012 · 10:35 AM

Kent Police arrested a 24-year-old man Thursday from the Washington State Department of Corrections most wanted sex offender list.

Officers arrested Chris M. Smith for investigation of felony escape from community custody for first-degree rape of a child and second-degree robbery, according to a Kent Police media release.

Police chased Smith on foot before finding him in the back bedroom of an apartment.

An associate of Smith saw him on the most wanted list website and contacted police. The associate agreed to set up a meeting with Smith where officers could arrest him.

Once Smith arrived and with detectives watching, patrol officers moved in for the arrest in the area of Southeast 240th Street and 102nd Avenue Southeast.

Smith was on foot, saw the officers and fled on foot, defying orders from police to stop.

Smith ran into a nearby apartment, which was surrounded by officers. The three residents of the apartment, two women and an infant child, came out of the unit and denied Smith was inside.

With the help of the Renton Police K-9 team, officers searched the apartment and the dog captured Smith in a back bedroom.

“It is a good night when a child rapist is in jail and no officers were hurt," said Kent Police Sgt. T. Durham.

The state DOC issued a warrant for Smith on Dec. 23.


View Larger Map

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.