Monroe prison escapee captured, authorities confirm

Jim Jensen
·2 min read

MONROE, Wash. - An inmate who escaped a prison in Monroe was captured and taken into custody after a four-day manhunt.

Last Friday, the Department of Corrections (DOC) issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for 59-year-old Patrick Lester Clay, who escaped from the Minimum Security Unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

<div>Monroe prison escapee Patrick Clay was apprehended by authorities in Seattle.</div>
Monroe prison escapee Patrick Clay was 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.

<div>59-year-old Patrick Lester Clay escaped from the Minimum Security Unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday.</div>
59-year-old Patrick Lester Clay escaped from the Minimum Security Unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday.

Authorities say Clay managed to escape by breaking into a staff office during routine maintenance cleaning, stealing the keys to the staff member’s car and driving it off the property.

He was last seen in a white four-door GMC Sierra truck. He was wearing khaki pants, a khaki jacket, a khaki beanie, white tennis shoes and a yellow DOC vest when he escaped.

<div>Picture of stolen truck</div>
Picture of stolen truck

Clay was believed to be in the Central District of South Seattle based on his history, according to the DOC Northwest Community Response Unit.

Authorities said a blue/gray zip-up sweatshirt and a black baseball cap, which he may have worn, were inside the stolen car.

The DOC said Clay had a release date of Dec. 24, 2025. He was convicted of counts of burglary, malicious mischief, harassment and theft.

Authorities asked the public to call 911 or the Monroe Correctional Complex at 360-794-2720 if he was spotted and not to approach him. Crime Stoppers offered a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any tip that led to Clay's arrest.

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