Monroe residents react to escaped inmate

Monroe residents react to escaped inmate still on the run

Some Monroe residents say news of an escaped inmate isn't surprising, though the Department of Corrections is working tirelessly to find the escapee.

MONROE, Wash. - After a four-day manhunt, local authorities captured an inmate who escaped from the Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday.

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) said 59-year-old Patrick Lester Clay somehow broke into a staff office, stole an employee's car keys and drove away in a white, four-door GMC Sierra truck. The DOC later found the stolen truck in Seattle's Central District.

Photo of escaped inmate captured in Seattle Monday night

Monroe prison escapee Patrick Clay apprehended by authorities in Seattle.

On Tuesday morning, FOX 13 received information that Clay was apprehended Monday night in Seattle by the Washington DOC Northwest Community Response Unit, The Seattle Police Department's Community Response Group and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Stolen truck of DOC employee

Clay was taken into custody in December 2023, after he was convicted of burglary, malicious mischief, harassment, and theft, according to the DOC. He earned minimum security custody level because of previous positive behavior, following the department’s classification model, and he was considered low risk.

The correctional facility sits across the street from a gas station and car dealership within a mile of an elementary school, middle school and high school.

Some of the people who live there said they’re not that concerned he escaped because it means he’s probably far from the city now.

"Obviously it causes some concern that he easily escaped, but other than that, it’s not something new," said Karen Pacheco, who lives in Monroe.

Pacheco works in a coffee shop not far from the Monroe Correctional Complex. She said officers stopped by businesses and handed out flyers informing the public about Clay's escape.

"It’s just like a description of him," Pacheco said. "Just to make sure we know in case he’s been running around here because this is a main street."

Pacheco said the news didn’t come as a surprise since this isn’t the first time she’s heard about an inmate escaping. "They eventually get caught," Pacheco said.

The DOC is still investigating. They say there will also be a critical incident review, and if necessary, the facility will implement any process improvement plans that come out of that review. Clay was scheduled to be released on Christmas Eve of 2025.