SALEM, OREGON: Oregon state authorities are looking for an “extremely dangerous” felon who is accused of attempted aggravated murder after he managed to escape from a state mental hospital on Wednesday night, August 30.
Christopher Lee Pray, 39, broke free from the custody while shackled at the arms, legs and stomach, and fled the hospital in a Dodge minivan.
Medical staff took Pray to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem when he suddenly took control of the vehicle and drove off at 10.30 pm, a spokesperson for the facility told The Oregonian.
The flabbergasting event prompted state troopers on a high-speed car chase on Interstate 5 southbound for some time, but eventually they had to pull back out of safety concerns.
What charges does Christopher Lee Pray face?
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the inmate faces charges of first-degree robbery, attempted aggravated murder, assault and felon in possession of a firearm in connection to an armed robbery and shooting in which he is accused of nearly claiming the life of a woman in Multnomah County.
“Pray is considered extremely dangerous and should not be approached,” Oregon State Police said in a statement.
They have urged anyone who spots him to immediately dial 911.
Christopher Lee Pray's alarming criminal past
Pray has served time behind bars before and has at least 16 previous felony convictions on his record for several charges, including first-degree robbery, being a felon in possession of a weapon, smuggling contraband into prison and resisting arrest, according to the Oregonian.
It is not yet known how he was able to get hold of the wheel from the hospital worker while wearing handcuffs which were connected to shackles on his legs along with a belly chain.
Authorities noted that one of the employees got hurt in the process.
Christopher Lee Pray was involved in heated altercation before his escape
The suspect had apparently been involved in an “altercation” with another patient at the state hospital and required medical attention before his daring escape.
He was transferred to a local emergency room and was heading back when he fought his way to the driver’s seat and stole the white minivan, the local newspaper reported.
When was Christopher Lee Pray last seen?
State police said that Pray was last seen driving the state vehicle, a white 2016 Dodge Caravan bearing Oregon license plate E265614.
He was headed southbound on Interstate 5 and has ties to the greater Portland.
Pray was seen wearing a white shirt, sweatpants and rubber slippers. He was behind bars at the Multnomah County jail before he was placed in the state hospital earlier on Wednesday, August 30.
