A manhunt is underway in Oklahoma for an inmate who fled from a county jail by posing as his cellmate and then posting bond, authorities said.
Patrick M. Walker who is serving a life-sentence for first-degree murder, escaped from the Payne County jail in Stillwater on Thursday night by impersonating another prisoner named Charles Pendarvis whom he “closely resembled” and then had someone post bond for Pendarvis, authorities said.
Court documents show that when the bondsperson arrived and staff at the jail called for Pendarvis, Walker pretended to be him, NBC affiliate WMPI reports.
Walker, 34, was previously held at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary but was transferred to the county jail for a court hearing after allegedly assaulting a corrections officer, according to court documents.
WMPI reports that Walker came up with his plane when he was transferred.
Pendarvis did not willingly participate in the scheme, Matt Elliott, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, told NBC News. “Mr. Walker threatened him into giving up his ID.”
Walker, also known as “Notty Walker,” is believed to still be using his cellmate’s name since his escape.
“He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. If you see someone who may be Walker, call 911 immediately - do not approach him,” the department said in a press release.
Walker is described as 5-feet-7 and is approximately 174 pounds. Authorities said he has a large scar near his jawline on the left side of his face.
According to jail records, he was convicted of a life sentence in 2003.
