Police: Inmate tricks staff into releasing him from Lewis County Jail

Updated at 6:36 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An inmate at the Lewis County Jail who allegedly impersonated another inmate yesterday was able to get himself released, but was found a short time later, according to police.

Chehalis police were called about 6:20 p.m. and given a description of the escapee, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

A corrections officer leaving the jail had seen the inmate out front and knew he was supposed to be inside, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The employee followed the subject in his vehicle, called 911 and two Chehalis officers arrived to take him into custody without incident less than five minutes later, authorities said.

He was found about two blocks away, at the 200 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue, according to Chehalis Police Department Officer Linda Bailey.

Charles R. Baker, 54, of Randle, was returned to the jail, Bailey said.

Bailey said she did not know what Baker was locked up for.

The jail roster shows Baker is being held in connection with reckless burning and driving without a license.

Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield said this afternoon he’s waiting for answers about how an inmate got improperly released.

Mistakes were made, he said, but he doesn’t yet know what they were.

The jail is operated by the sheriff’s office.

Mansfield said he does know Baker put on another inmate’s clothing while that inmate was asleep and signed documents for release, as well as spoke with the other inmate’s attorney who was waiting at the jail.

Mansfield said Baker was on a no-bail hold, but didn’t know the specifics.

An internal investigation is underway and Baker is being processed for theft and forgery, according to Mansfield.

The jail has several checkpoints during release procedures, including plastic identification bracelets worn by inmates, according to the sheriff.

His office will find out what occurred and tighten up procedures, he said.

Mansfield said Baker was out of the facility for 10 or 15 minutes.

“We book and release hundreds of people a year and unfortunately this has happened in the past and will probably happen again in the future,” Mansfield said.

The other inmate subsequently woke up and has been released.

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24 Responses to “Police: Inmate tricks staff into releasing him from Lewis County Jail”

  1. tail says:

    Actually he’s really just been a very slick pretending to be rick. Obviously the hard stuff doesn’t have complete controll.

  2. randirose says:

    What difference would it make if he put the other inmates clothing on or had his own on? Wouldnt he have been wearing the same clothes that he had on even if he switched? They all wear the same clothing…

  3. henry says:

    nice website¡!!!!!!!! thank you

  4. fedupwithscrewuscounty says:

    Well I see some new faces, and of course the usual, judge mental, Mo*@#*er F*&%kers that are always here to protect Lewis County Scum. Bottom Line……The Jail and all Law Enforcement involved in the Court room that day, and in the release of Charles Baker, should be held responsible and accountable for his release. First off, he is a criminal, what criminal would not try that given the opportunity. Second, the inmates do wear bands with picture and all info that is needed printed on the band, So, Who Fucked Up? Not Mr. Baker. He simply did what a criminal wanting out would do. As I see it, he did his part, and that leaves……..The Jail Guards! If in fact, they were doing their jobs to the best of their ability this sort of thing would not have happened. Thus, leaving them accountable for the release of Charles Baker. They are the ones who should get the Identity theft charge, that Baker is now looking at, along with the forgery, and theft charges. They helped him to commit all them charges, they clearly were aiding and abeding. If you don’t think so then they were wrong because they sat back and watched, even helped Baker commit the crimes, which is illegal for them to do. Baker should only be charged with escape, nothing else. and last but not least, Third, you people shouldn’t be so critical of the Cop Enforcer, this person has had the balls to stand against wrong doing on “We the People” for “The People” he has exposed many. many corrupt officers here in Lewis County, and Nation Wide. Something, some one should have done long before it got this bad.
    Lewis County is a Joke, and already is the bare minimum in side there. People starve in there, and believe it or not, most of the people in side are in there for failure to pay fines, or non-sense 3rd degree driving offenses. Not to mention 85 percent of the inmates are contracted from other counties. and, 99 percent of Lewis Counties convictions are self convicted, most of which have been coerced into a plea agreement, or just tired of going to court. Yes that is still a win for the county, but a very wrong win, surely nothing they should brag about. If half of those were taken to the box, the county would lose due to lack of evidence on the part of the Prosecutor, who gets all his info, and evidence from the officers on the case. WHY? because they fail to do their jobs as laid out in the rules of procedure, they lie about evidence, and they make false statements. I know, because I just won my case, because I took it to the box and challenged the extent of their evidence, when it came down to it, well they had none, and they even had one witness. Hearsay, because they do not know how to do their jobs, and they are just too lazy to do them. Yes, a criminal is just that a criminal, but come on people lets get REAL here! They should be made accountable for their mistake. It is not all on the part of the inmate, who was let out of jail mistakenly. “ooops my bad” Whatever. They Fucked Up, and they should be held responsible, if they have too much work load, well then quit clogging up the jail with un-neccasary bull shit charges. The rest of you ASSes, need to wake up and quit hiding behind false profits.

  5. john says:

    Thats bull, he put on another inmates clothing. It wouldnt matter u all wear the same color jumpsuits in the tanks. So he traded out his clothes for the same one. No it was just stupidity.

  6. Tommy Orr says:

    I appreciate what DCE is doing. He providing a public-service FREE of charge. Wether you like it or dislike it is irrelevant.

    The truth hurts and reality is a hard pill to swallow for a lot of people. The incidences of outright incompetence on the part of the Lewis Couty justice system is not isolated to just a few “mistakes”. No, it’s continuous and perpetuates itself by hiding behind of facade of ‘accountability’. They are accountable to nobody YET.

    The incompetence is bordering on corruption.

    The Federal Dept. of Justice would be wise to look into just exactly how and why the courts and cops do what they do.

  7. Sunshine Girl, heres the truth about police raids http://www.cato.org/raidmap/ Anyways what were you saying?

  8. MorningCoffee says:

    Oh, yes, DCE, wallow in your self perceived glory. Selwyn defined you best: pathetic little person. Now, go and continue to menace society, as this is clearly your only mission in life.

  9. I sit back and look at the Chaos I have Created. Just like on the Movie Stand By Me, Lard Ass Turns Torwards the Crowd and Creates a Barf-0-Rama.

  10. MorningCoffee says:

    Dilorath, Selwyn, Sunshinegirl, George, LC Citizen – AMEN Brothas and Sistas!

  11. sunshinegirl says:

    I’m with George , it is very simple. Don’t go to jail. I am 61 years old and I went through the sixties and I was not an angel , but every time I called on the police in either Packwood ,Randle or Morton I was treated fairly and with respect . I have had a swat team in my living room in Klamath Falls Oregon in the 80’s and I was vastly grateful they were there . I have even had close friends that were cops . They are a special group and they are not all prefect human beings. of course there are bad apples in every walk of life. Their job is one of the most difficult there is and their pay is not a whole lot but they persevere in a job and in a world where they see the dregs of society. Things that make us weep, or shrink in horror . The stress alone is enough to kill them. So they made a mistake. Did that endanger you ? It happens. If you do not want to experience police brutality do not put yourself in that position. Most human beings no matter what their job respond to respect or politeness and in 61 years I have decided the golden rule works petty good.

  12. Selwyn Carter - diorath says:

    DCE, you are a pathetic little person. Are you getting paid to do what you do? I seriously doubt it. Try being supportive, rather than antagonistic. I seriously doubt any police officer is going to want to be assaulted, beat-up, kicked etc. and not retaliate? We are all well aware that there are dishonest officials, politicians, lawyers, Judges etc., and the very people, the majority of which just want to earn a living and keep us safe, our police officers, you have set your sights on them ‘as a whole’, and are demanding answers? There are avenues to pursue your ‘questions’ sir, and you are as free as anyone else to pursue those avenues and not make yourself sound and appear to be a little off-balance! Try it. It just might work.

  13. diorath says:

    I can’t believe I’m reading all this……..!!! Mistakes will always be made-somewhere, by someone, at some time! We would be in pretty poor shape without the Sheriff’s department or our local constabulary. Dirty Cop Enforcer needs to do a ride-along with an Officer sometime, just to get a feel for all the crap, insults and violence that these officers are subjected to 24×7. DCE, it’s time you did some deep soul-searching. If you did the crime you will do the time. I feel there is a lot you aren’t sharing with us here,or maybe are just a trifle ashamed to share? Police officers are people too, just like you and I, and I think you might want to reconsider some of your rants beofre putting it on the wire!

  14. I see the Piranha are bitting in Lewis County Again. I cast my line far across the Internet. And in the End Video proof leaves no Doubt. Poloice are being caught committing crimes against society. Let this attempted Jail escape be the catalyst that fuels your fire into the World of Police Corruption. But dont take my word for it. Check out the Truth Here, about police problems nation wide. http://www.policemisconduct.net/statistics/

  15. My 2nd Email to the Jail. Remember this is Public Record

    I will try to ask the Question this way then. What is your Policy when a Person Claims Police Brutality. Does the so called accused have the right to have wounds documented on the record for their defense team? I would think all persons deserve these same rights, so no at this time the case is not specific. Rephrased what is your policy when someone requests to have wounds documented when police brutality is alleged?

    Jails Response
    Sir,
    Absent specifics we are unable to respond to your question. Should you choose to provide specific information it can be looked into.

    Thank you.

    Lt. Jim Pea

    Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

    360 NW North St. MS:SHE02

    Chehalis, WA 98532

    “From Me DCE” I suggest other members of the community contact and ask the jail the same questions, there is no policy in place and it’s clear.

  16. Lc Citizen and George. I host a Dirty Cop Web Site. I do not Harrasss police officers, nor do I disrespect them. The Police that are in the News put themselves there. “Not Me” And as for me going to Jail all of the Time, What are you talking about? There are a few dirty cop websites around the net, I’m doing the Community a Service by making police brutality and corruption more Transparent. Just look at my Twitter link. Cops are getting busted Daily and you want to attack me for a Taboo Subeject and Call it a Rant. Maybe I will post the E-mails online I am talking about. The Jail has no accountability when it come to police brutality. And Don’t say it’s not Happening. I have witnesses and Video Evidence of this behavior. But I guess that’s just a Rant?

  17. George look at the date, of this post. I already have used my first amendment rights. http://dirtycopsmustregister.com/public-safety-warning-lewis-county-jail-inmates-allowed-eat-food-floor/
    Police accountability problems are at an all time high. You want to attack me when a Jail has a BS policy that could of endangered the community.

  18. Silent night says:

    I was in there a long time ago, before the new jail was built. Upon leaving they tried to give me someone else’s property. My money and my jewelry were not returned. And they could not find my shoes either! Total incompetence!!

  19. REALLY says:

    REALLY~ So what you are all saying is that we should treat our inmates better?? F them.. I wish I had a jail, I would make sure they got the bare minimum, that way maybe they would not want to come back! But all of you must have been in jail before, or you would not know what the inside was like.. Inmates are so good for Society that we should keep treating them WELL when they are locked up? WHY because THEY could not follow the rules of life.. My gosh, if it is that bad STOP GOING BACK!! it’s called learning from your mistakes!! I am happy that people like you all set and bash jails, makes me SMILE everytime cause in my head I think they must be doing it all right then!! BAHAHA WAY TO GO LEWIS COUNTY JAIL PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

  20. LC CITIZEN says:

    Get a life “Dirty Cop Enforcer” … I’m sure you’re far from innocent with all of your rants you post. You probably bring it all on yourself. Maybe stop harassing the police.

  21. George says:

    Hey D C E, if you hate the jail so much, quit getting busted doing things that get you sent there. Better yet, make sure you get Mansfield registered on your stupid little website, and make sure he knows about it. You ain’t got the jewels to do it.

  22. Good Job Steve Mansfield, Your jail also fails to document Injuries after they are beaten by Police Officers. I e-mailed the jail and asked what was their policy, when someone wants Injuries documented. Their response was what incident was it and it needed to be case specefic. Shouldn’t anyone have the right to have injuries documentated? The lewis County Jail staff also has access to the recording equipment so than can erase beat downs inside the jail when they are caught on Tape. With police Brutality and corruption on the Rise the Protectors of the Peace need to be under a Microscope. Their is no Transparancey at this correctional institution. Oh yeah don’t try to record the Police you could end up getting Choked like I did by the CPD.

  23. Wondertwins says:

    No joke..Lewis County Jail rocks..anyone who thinks it doesn’t is probably afraid of ghosts

  24. Tommy Orr says:

    The Lewis County jail is a joke!!! The people the run the place do such a poor job, many inmates are literally forgotten about. Just the fact you can tell a guard that you’re someone else, AND he they just take your word for it, makes it a JOKE JOKE JOKE.

    Unfortunately, the joke is on Lewis County. Their incapability of doing anything with logic and forethought is mind-numbing.