Larch escapee caught in east Vancouver

An escapee from the Larch Corrections Center was apprehended about 18 miles from the east Clark County facility early Saturday morning.

Authorities said David Daniel McElroy, 29, of Clark County was discovered missing during a Friday night bed check.

Details are sketchy, but here is what happened.

Corrections Officer Brandy Boyer was on her way to work and spotted McElroy in east Vancouver near 1900 N.E. 162nd Ave., officials said. She called Larch and asked if all inmates were accounted for and was told a man was missing.

Boyer called 911 and asked for help while keeping McElroy in sight. Clark County Sheriff’s deputies responded along with Vancouver Police Department Officer R. Evans and his K-9 dog.

A press release from Larch said McElroy was hiding and was told to drop what he had in his hand and did not respond. The K-9 found and bit him and held on until the Vancouver officer handcuffed McElroy and arrested him.

McElroy was being held in the Clark County Jail on Sunday with no bail allowed.

Larch Corrections Center is in the Yacolt Burn State Forest, about five miles east of Hockinson.