Western State Hospital escapee arrest - lpd

On the morning of April 1, 2026 the Lakewood Police Department was notified by

staff at Western State Hospital (WSH) of an escapee. Staff notified officers they had

eventually discovered that Joshua D Rice had left the grounds on March 31, 2026 at

approximately 8:18pm.

Rice was at WSH for a review pending charges emanating from Clark County for

Robbery.

Today Lakewood Police received information that Rice was in custody at the Pierce

County Jail. We learned that he was transported to Pierce County by King County

corrections. It was then learned that Rice was taken into custody by SeaTac Police

on April 12. They encountered Rice via a call for service at a local business for

trespassing and theft. Upon his arrest for these charges the officers learned of his

outstanding warrants and booked him into jail.

Rice will have a court appearance and further detention determined at that time.

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