LAKEWOOD, Wash. — An inmate being held at Western State Hospital in Lakewood has escaped, and law enforcement needs your help finding him.
His name is Joshua Dylan Rice, and he’s considered dangerous.
According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Rice broke out of the hospital around 8 p.m. on March 31.
The Lakewood Police Department told KIRO 7 Rice likely climbed out the window of his room, then was spotted climbing over a fence by a security camera.
LPD reports the search for Rice began with a major issue: hospital staff did not notice he was missing until 12 hours after the escape.
“That’s probably what’s going to happen here,” Jeremiah Traxler said. “They will catch him when he hurts someone else.”
Traxler is the victim in the case that sent Rice to Western State. According to court records obtained by KIRO 7, Rice attacked Traxler in a Vancouver, Washington parking lot in 2024 and carjacked him.
Traxler said he had never met Rice, who he claimed pulled him out of the car and physically fought him.
“He starts punching me in my face, over and over and over and over,” he said.
Traxler said he tried to use a knife for self-defense, but Rice took it and cut both his hands.
“Sliced my thumb, the tendons there,” he said. “Sliced this hand. I had to have surgery on both hands.”
Rice and Traxler’s car were found later that night.
Traxler said the case went to trial in September 2025, but Rice kept refusing to come to the courtroom, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.
According to David Cook, director of jail services for Clark County, Rice had been at Western State since September 2025.
“I’m not afraid, but I’m glad I know,” Traxler said. “How do you just walk away?”
“Western State Hospital takes the safety and security of patients, staff, and the surrounding community very seriously,” DSHS spokesperson Cynthia Shiplet said in a statement. “Following this incident, we have conducted a thorough review and have implemented additional safety measures to strengthen our protocols and prevent future elopements.”
Rice currently has pending robbery, assault, and theft of a motor vehicle charges in Clark County Superior Court. He also has a known criminal history in Multnomah County.
Rice has blue eyes and is approximately six feet tall. He weighs approximately 185 pounds.
He may have associates in the Salmon Creek area and potentially North Bend, Oregon.
Anyone who sees Rice or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact 911.
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