PORT ANGLES — A domestic violence suspect sought by police Friday turned himself in to police early Saturday morning.
Dale J. Purser, 38, of Port Angeles was wanted for investigation of felony domestic violence after police converged on his home on Caroline Street on Friday afternoon but found that he had left.
At 3:25 a.m. Saturday morning, the Port Angeles Police Department was notified that Purser was attempting to turn himself in at the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
“Officers responded and found that he was not there,” said Sgt. Jesse Winfield.
Purser was soon located walking away from the courthouse on South Peabody Street, Winfield said.
Purser was booked into Clallam County jail on outstanding warrants for his arrest in addition to investigation of charges of assault one, assault two, assault four, felony harassment, malicious mischief and theft related to Friday’s domestic violence investigation.
Police were notified at about 3 p.m. Friday that a seriously injured woman was being treated at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said.
She told police her children had been threatened, Smith said.
Smith would not detail her injuries but said, “She’s not OK.”
Purser is the father of one of her two children and lived in the home, Smith said.
Police arrived at a home in the 1300 block of Caroline Street and set up blockades, but after discussions with a family member in the home discovered that Purser and the children were not there.
The children were found safe at the home of a family friend, Smith said.
Police believe Purser dropped off the children at that home.
The current location of the woman and her children is undisclosed for their protection, Smith said.
Community assistance
Once Purser was identified as a suspect, police worked with the media and other organizations to get the word out to the public that he was sought.
“Our sincere thanks goes out to all that assisted us with locating this individual,” Winfield said.
The Port Angeles Police Department encourages the community to report domestic violence when they are aware it is occurring, he said.
“We work vigorously with prosecutors to stop domestic violence from occurring, and we support the organizations that work hard to educate and treat those in domestic violence situations.”
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.