Update 12/11/19, 10.15a.m. EST: The suspect has been detained. In a statement to Newsweek, Muskogee Police Department Officer Lynn Hamlin said: "They were located in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the Roadway Inn, Perez was taken into custody without incident and the wife and child are safe."
Original article follows:
Oklahoma police were hunting a 32-year-old McDonald's employee who allegedly abducted his wife and child on Tuesday. Officials say the kidnapping occurred after the suspect attacked his store manager.
Authorities were dispatched to the fast food restaurant on South 32nd Street in Muskogee shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday. Arriving at the scene they found the manager, James Coble Jr., had sustained a stab wound to the abdomen, KJRH reported.
The suspect, identified as Derek Martin Perez, fled the scene before officers arrived. Police say he was traveling in a Silver 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with the license plate EBM212. He is believed to have forced his family to go with him as he fled from police.
An Amber Alert issued by Muskogee Police Department yesterday says the suspect's child was "taken by force along with her mother." The child is named as Olivia Perez.
The Amber Alert said: "The aunt of the child spoke to the child's mother, who [said] that Derek would not stop the car and she could not get out." The notice is listed as "currently active" at the time of writing.
Coble Jr., 36, was taken to a local hospital. It remains unclear if his injury is life-threatening, but Fox23 reported the victim had been alert when paramedics reached the scene.
Law enforcement believe the suspect may be heading towards Texas, KOCO reported. Some of the man's relatives, who have not been named, told the news outlet the suspect had previously made comments indicating he may attempt to make police use deadly force on him.
The 2-year-old is described as having blue eyes, blonde hair and being about two feet tall. The mother has blue eyes and red hair, authorities said.
A description of the suspect was not immediately available, however photos of the family were published by KTUL and Fox 23.
It remains unclear what sparked the confrontation between Perez and Coble Jr. Muskogee police confirmed in the Amber Alert that the alleged abduction took place at about 3 p.m.
Muskogee Police Officer Lynn Hamlin told KTUL: "I am not going to say that this is a common occurrence. I am sure there are disputes and disagreements but this is taking it to the next level, when you actually stab someone with a weapon."
This article has been updated with comment about the suspect's arrest.
