The man police believe is responsible for an armed carjacking at the Bend Costco store earlier this month was arrested this morning in Yamhill County, Washington, after he turned himself in when he learned police were actively looking for him in the area.

Kevin Allan Couch - DCJ photo

Kevin Allan Couch, 26, of Bend, allegedly wielded a knife when he reportedly carjacked a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee belonging to the 31-year old victim on February 9. The victim was pushed to the ground as she pushed her eight-month-old child in a stroller, and her car keys were taken, police reported.

The stolen vehicle was recovered in the area of SW Gleneagles Way in Bend four days later, Bend Police Sgt. Paul Kansky said, and Couch was identified as a suspect at that time.

On Wednesday, police received a tip that the suspect was in the Yakima area, Kansky said. They contacted the local authorities including Union Gap and Yamhill Police Departments, and advised them to be on the lookout for Couch in the area, and specifically at a truck stop in Union Gap.

Union Gap officers discovered the suspect had fled to Yakima, and somehow Couch learned he was actively being sought there. He called 911 to surrender himself, the sergeant said, and was arrested without incident by Yakima Police at a Seven-Eleven store at 3:15 a.m. Thursday.

Couch was lodged in the Yakima County Jail and is being held on the Deschutes County warrants related to the carjacking incident.

Arraignment at Yakima County Circuit Court is scheduled for today, and then the suspect will be extradited to Deschutes County to face charges including first-degree robbery, coercion, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a vehicle.