CRIME BLOTTER

Monroe prison escape: Inmate captured at Lynnwood Transit Center after escaping Monroe Correctional Complex

May 15, 2026, 1:15 PM | Updated: 1:17 pm

monroe escape inmate prison jail...

Inmate Samuel Evans Kimble apprehended by law enforcement after escaping the Monroe Correctional Complex. (Photo courtesy of DOC)

(Photo courtesy of DOC)

An inmate from the Monroe Correctional Complex was arrested Friday after escaping the facility late Thursday night, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) confirmed.

At approximately 10:53 p.m., Samuel Evans Kimble escaped from the minimum security unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex. Kimble, 25, was apprehended at 12:15 p.m. Friday at the Lynnwood Transit Station. Both DOC and the Snohomish Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF) credited multiple tips from the public in helping them locate the suspect.

“Kimble was apprehended by CRU and VOTF without incident; however, he did have injuries sustained from the fence line during the escape,” DOC stated.

Kimble is currently serving a 27-month sentence for a conviction of a domestic violence court order violation for assault out of Snohomish County. Kimble has an earned release date of January 5, 2027.

DOC is now conducting a critical incident review of the escape to determine where process improvements are needed, including the public notification timelines.

“We will be able to provide additional information on this review after it is completed,” DOC added.

Headcount reveals Monroe escape, facility placed on restricted movement

Jail staff determined that Kimble was no longer inside the facility after a headcount was taken at 3:30 a.m. Friday. In response, a restricted-movement protocol was implemented to thoroughly search the facility.

Security footage was reviewed to help determine the time of escape. Local law enforcement and nearby schools were notified of Kimble’s escape.

Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest

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