Inmate Escapes From Oregon Prison at Lakeview

The inmate's sentence began in June, he had a projected release date in March.

18-year old Chad Lee Edwards was serving 13 months for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

(LAKEVIEW, Ore.) - A minimum-custody inmate escaped Friday, Sept. 21 from Warner Creek Correctional Facility in Lakeview. He was discovered missing during the 10:30 p.m. inmate count. Preliminary information indicates that he may be headed toward Bend.

18-year old Chad Lee Edwards was serving 13 months for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle from Deschutes County, and that sentence was running concurrently with a 14-month sentence for driving with a suspended/revoked license. His sentence began in June and had a projected release date in March.

Edwards is described as a white male, 5'9" tall, weighing 160 lbs. He has blond hair and brown eyes. He has no scars or tattoos. He was last seen wearing blue jeans with the word "inmate" stenciled on the knee in orange and a blue T-shirt similarly stenciled.

As a minimum security prison, Warner Creek houses minimum-custody inmates with less than three years remaining on their sentences. It has a single perimeter fence topped with concertina wire. Prison officials say the method of escape is under investigation.

The Oregon Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Oregon State Police are investigating. Anyone with information regarding Edward's whereabouts should contact the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888, the non-emergency number of their local police department, or the Oregon Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit at 503-945-9030.

The midnight prisoner count was 375 at Warner Creek, and 13,526 statewide.

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Source: Oregon Corrections