Police searching for Monroe prison escapee

Published 10:30 am Friday, April 26, 2024

MONROE — Authorities were searching Friday morning for a man who escaped from the Monroe Correctional Complex.

Officials suspect Patrick Lester Clay, 59, broke into a staff member’s office during routine maintenance, stole the keys to their car and drove off.

Clay was living in the Minimum Security Unit, serving a sentence for burglary, harassment, theft and malicious mischief in King County, according to the state Department of Corrections. He was set to be released in December 2025.

Clay was last seen in a white GMC Sierra, with license plate number C39525X, officials said. He was wearing a yellow Department of Corrections vest with khaki pants, a khaki jacket, khaki beanie and white tennis shoes. Authorities noted a bluish gray zip-up sweatshirt and black hat were also in the stolen Sierra.

If you see Clay, police advised not to approach him or the vehicle. Call 911 or the prison at 360-794-2720.