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Shoplifting suspect accused of hitting deputy during escape in custody

Jan. 10, 2018 update: Deputies said the woman suspected of hitting a King County deputy during a shoplifting incident is now in custody.

Deputies said Khalia Wimberly turned herself Thursday and is being booked into jail.

Our previous coverage:

The King County Sheriff's Office released surveillance video Tuesday that investigators said showed a shoplifting suspect hitting a deputy with a Lexus as she fled a White Center Safeway on 28th Avenue Southwest.

Sergeant Ryan Abbott said the injured deputy, Whitney Richtmyer, has a broken leg and is recovering at home as detectives search for the driver.

Investigators said the newly-released surveillance video shows the suspect Khalia Wimberly and her boyfriend, Davevion Irving, being chased by a Safeway loss prevention worker moments after the alleged shoplifting.

Richtmyer pulls up and hops out of his cruiser as the shoplifting suspect and her boyfriend make it to a Lexus, hitting the deputy and causing him to roll on the pavement, according to investigators.

"It went from a pretty minor crime to serious, serious felony crimes,” said Abbott.

The King County Sheriff’s Office said Wimberly is now facing assault and robbery charges. There’s no probable cause to arrest Irving on those charges but he does have unrelated warrants for his arrest, according to investigators.

Abbott said Richtmyer has been with the department for nearly 21 years.

"It's going to take a while for him to recover but he'll back on the street,” said Abbott.

Investigators say they recovered the ditched Lexus but are still searching for Wimberly. She and her boyfriend are known to couch surf, possibly in the Tacoma area, according to deputies.

The sheriff’s office wants anyone who can help locate Wimberly or Irving to call 911 or the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.

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