MONROE, Wash. — An inmate who escaped from the Monroe Correctional Complex last week has been found by law enforcement.
Patrick Lester Clay, 59, was serving out a sentence in the minimum security unit when he allegedly broke into a staff office during maintenance cleaning and stole the keys to a staff member's car. Clay was then able to drive the car off the grounds.
The Monroe Police Department found the stolen white GMC Sierra truck in the Central District neighborhood between Sunday night and Monday morning. It has been impounded, and Monroe police detectives will process it for evidence.
Clay was last seen wearing a khaki jacket, pants and beanie with white tennis shoes and a yellow Department of Corrections vest. The department said there was a blue-grey zip-up sweatshirt and black ballcap in the stolen truck that Clay could be wearing.
Clay was expected to be released Dec. 24, 2025. He was convicted of burglary, malicious mischief, harassment and theft in King County, according to the department.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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