WA law enforcement locates escaped convict in Seattle

Escaped inmate arrested on King County Metro bus

An inmate who escaped from a government building in Thurston County last week was recently arrested on a King County Metro bus and facis first-degree escape charges.

TUMWATER, Wash. - UPDATE (Sept. 3): Christopher Brinkley was arrested on a King County Metro bus on Tuesday and is facing a first-degree escape charge.

ORIGINAL STORY (Aug. 30):

Washington law enforcement and the Department of Corrections (DOC) are searching for an inmate that recently escaped from a government building in Tumwater.

Police are looking for 33-year-old Christopher Brinkley. He was last seen Friday around noon at the Correctional Industries Headquarters, which is located just south of the Olympia Regional Airport.

Brinkley was wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. Law enforcement and DOC staff are actively searching the area.

The DOC says Brinkley was incarcerated at the Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, and was at the Correctional Industries Headquarters in Tumwater as part of his approved work program.

Brinkley was convicted in King County earlier this year of tampering with a witness and a protection order violation. His scheduled release date was June 16, 2026.

If you see Brinkley, do not approach him and call 911, or DOC headquarters at 360-480-2696.