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.