An inmate at the Grays Harbor County jail in Montesano crawled into a trash can Wednesday, was taken outside by another inmate and walked away, the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

James Bartholomew, who is from Hoquiam, was about to enter a plea to drug and weapon offenses and faced a lengthy prison sentence, a release states. An arrest warrant has been issued for Bartholomew for second degree escape.

Bartholomew, 40, is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 147 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. People who see him should not approach or contact him, but they should call 911 to report his location.

“If anyone has information on his possible whereabouts you can call the dispatch non-emergency number 360-533-8765 or you can contact Detective Jeremy Holmes at 360-249-3711,” the release states.

“Anyone who harbors or helps Bartholomew could face criminal charges.”

Bartholomew was a kitchen trustee. With the help of another trustee, he was taken from the jail in a garbage can and set outside the jail, where he waited for a short while, the release states, before leaving the area on foot.

The inmate who helped also will face escape charges.

Chief Criminal Deputy Brad Johansson said Bartholomew was discovered missing around 3 p.m. Wednesday in a noon Thursday release from the Sheriff’s Office. He said the 21-hour delay in notifying the public was to allow law enforcement to follow immediate leads and to get the U.S. Marshals Task Force and other agencies involved. The search is ongoing.

Three trash bins sit Thursday, June 27, outside the Grays Harbor County jail in Montesano. On Wednesday, an inmate from Hoquiam used a trash bin to escape by crawling inside and being taken outside by another inmate, the County Sheriff’s Office said. (Michael Lang | The Vidette)