Convicted sex abuser escapes from NE Portland prison

How does a convicted sex offender escape from prison practically unnoticed? That's one of the questions now being asked after an inmate in Portland, Oregon, climbed a prison fence Wednesday and ultimately escaped.

"Matthew Medlin had been on the run since 12:30 this afternoon, when he climbed over a fence at the Columbia River Correctional Institute ... Police say a corrections officer transporting a different prisoner spotted Medlin ... just before 10 o'clock tonight."

Residents at a nearby Jack in the Box tell KOIN just a few minutes later police swarmed the area.

"The next thing you know, there are police cars all over the place. They finally chased him down. I don't know whether they chased him or not. They saw the ambulance, and they put him on a stretcher."

KPTV reports that's just two-and-a-half miles from the correctional office. Prior to this, though, police searched that area extensively and called off the search when they saw no signs of Medlin.

This is Matthew Medlin. He has an extensive criminal history and was serving time on accusations of burglary, sex abuse and assault. Interestingly, though, Medlin was set to be released from prison next week. The Oregonian says authorities still don't know why he escaped in the first place.

Medlin is currently in custody and being treated for injuries he suffered during the escape. Prosecutors have yet to announce what new charges they'll file against him.