Escaped Work Crew Inmate Still On The Loose

PORTLAND, OR — A Multnomah County inmate reportedly stole an Oregon Department of Transportation work truck while he was on an inmate work crew Thursday. The truck was found near a home a short distance from where it was stolen, sheriff's officials said, but the inmate is still missing.

Scott Michael Smith, 25, reportedly took the ODOT truck from the 9400-block of Northeast Hancock Drive just before 12:30 p.m. March 22, just as the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office work crew was conducting a cleanup of green space in the area, officials said.

The truck was said to have been left unlocked, with the engine running.

Officers located the truck near a home in the 1700-block of Northeast 52nd Avenue, which police said was associated with Smith, but Smith was not found inside.

Anyone who sees Smith is asked to avoid contact and instead call 911.

Smith was wearing tan Carhartt pants, a green jacket, and black work boots when police last saw him. Smith is described as a white man, 6-foot-1 and 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He may be easily identified by his numerous tattoos, some of which are on his neck.

Image via Multnomah County Sheriff's Office