Tacoma police are asking the public for help finding an armed robbery suspect who has gone on the run after cutting off his court-ordered GPS tracker. Investigators identified the suspect as 20-year-old Timothy Uke, who they say slipped away from monitoring in recent days. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward as the search widens across the region.
Uke's recent history with the courts stretches back to last December, when he was first arrested and charged with first-degree robbery. Rather than remaining in custody, he was released by Court Commissioner Barbara McInvale after a $100,000 bond was posted. That decision allowed him to return to the community while his case moved forward through the system.
The situation escalated in June, when Uke was arrested once again. This time he faced another count of first-degree robbery, along with two charges of illegal firearm possession. Despite the new and more serious allegations, McInvale again ordered his release, this time placing him on electronic home monitoring rather than keeping him behind bars.
That arrangement did not hold. Police say Uke recently left his parents' home in Puyallup after cutting off his GPS tracking device, and that he was seen following an unidentified person as he walked away. His departure left investigators without a clear trail and prompted the renewed public appeal for any information that could help locate him.
Before leaving, Uke reportedly left a note for his parents. In it, he said he did not want to be a financial burden to them. The message pointed to the strain his legal troubles had placed on his family, even as his disappearance created a new and far larger problem for the people closest to him.
The financial stakes for his family are considerable. Because Uke's parents posted the $100,000 bond to secure his release, they now stand to lose that money if he does not return to court. They had also put up their home as collateral, which means that a failure to appear could ultimately cost them the house itself.
Investigators describe Uke as having tattoos running down both of his arms, and say that no one has heard from him, including his girlfriend. Police are asking anyone who recognizes him or knows where he might be to contact Tacoma police or to submit an anonymous tip through Crimestoppers. As the search continues, authorities are hoping that help from the public will lead them to the suspect before the situation worsens.