Oklahoma Co. Inmate Escapes Jail After Stealing An Employee's Car

Law enforcement officers in the Oklahoma City metro are searching for an escaped inmate. Police said he broke out Wednesday night of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. 

Officials said Nicholas Leach told staff he needed to go to the bathroom. Instead, he took an employee's car and has been on the run since.

"Now, this all happened in about two minutes," said Mark Opgrande, the Oklahoma County Detention Center's Director of Communications.

That small window is all Leach needed to break out of the jail. Leach had special privileges and was working in the maintenance area. While there, he asked to go to the bathroom at least twice.

"All the employees that come in here have to have clear backpacks when they work on the secure side," said Opgrande. "So, he [Leach] was able to see through the backpack and saw what he realized was the gate opener and also a set of keys."

Leach took the keys and gate opener from the backpack, then left in an employee's personal car. The surveillance video showed Leach look for the car in the parking lot, as he moved toward the flashing headlights. He then jumped in the car and turned north on Classen Boulevard. 

The car is a 2008 red Honda Civic with the plate number BWS 477. The escape happened just after 8 p.m. Wednesday. 

"Has tinted windows except the driver's window was not tinted, so hopefully that will be a clue to somebody," said Opgrande.

On October 5, Leach pleaded guilty to burglary and attempts to sell stolen items at a pawn shop. Officials said that doesn't mean he won't get violent if confronted.

"When somebody is in that situation, there's no telling what they can do," Opgrande said.

It's not clear if the detention officer broke any rules by leaving the backpack out and visible. They have since resigned.

If you see Leach, or the car do not approach him and call 911 immediately.