State inmate escapes from local jail

A 22-year-old state inmate climbed a fence just after noon Friday and escaped from the Grayson County Detention Center on foot, Kentucky State Police reported.

Joshua L. McDowell

Joshua L. McDowell made his way to an area Leitchfield restaurant where he solicited a ride from an 18-year-old by telling him that his vehicle had broken down on the Western Kentucky Parkway, the KSP release said. While on the parkway, McDowell told the youth that he was an escaped inmate and that he was going to drive to Lexington. 

Police say McDowell allegedly told the youth that he was taking over the driving and they switched positions. McDowell drove to downtown Lexington where he let himself out. 

It is believed that McDowell may be in the Irishtown community. He is described as a white male, approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt with inmate printed on the back, blue work pants and white tennis shoes. 

Anyone with information on McDowell’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the State Police at 1-800-222-5555.

McDowell was serving a three-year sentence for third-degree burglary.

The ongoing escape investigation is being headed by Trooper Brad Riley. Other charges may be pending, police said.