Kennewick police have a car and gun. Now they want the suspect

Kennewick police are hunting for a man they suspect is linked to two armed robberies and an attempted robbery, after he ran from officers Tuesday.

City officers, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, tried to stop a Chrysler 300 near Kennewick Avenue and Tweedt Street at 9:51 a.m..

Officers planned to arrest Fernando Flores Jr., 22, on suspicion of robbing City Market on Dec. 27. They also wanted to ask him about an attempted robbery in Kennewick and robbery in Pasco over the weekend.

The driver, Alfonso J. Hernandez-Guizar, 34, attempted to elude officers. He headed east, running stop signs until he lost control of the car. The Chrysler ended up on the lawn of the Central Park Apartments at Seventh Avenue and Olympia Street.

The two men ran, but officers tracked the driver. They tackled and arrested him near Rainier Street and Fourth Avenue.

As they were chasing him, he threw a handgun, according to police. Officers found meth on him, Officer Roman Trujillo said.

Police are investigating whether Hernandez-Guizar is connected to the robbery. He was booked into Benton County jail for eluding police, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of meth.

Officers and a police dog searched for Flores for nearly an hour between Fourth and 10th avenues, but did not find him.

They found two gun holsters.

Flores is described as 5-foot-3, 150 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and shaved eyebrows. He has tattoos on both calves, his chest and left hand.

He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Amistad Elementary School, Park Middle School and St. Joseph’s Catholic School all were placed on lockdown while police searched the area. Police notified the schools they could lift the lockdown at 10:57 a.m.

Anyone with information can contact Kennewick police at 509-628-0333, or Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers at 509-586-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and can receive up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

This story was originally published January 9, 2018 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Kennewick police have a car and gun. Now they want the suspect."