The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department asks for the public’s help in locating Matthew Casey Otwell who escaped custody around noon Thursday. 

Deputies arrested Otwell, 30, around noon in the 12700 block of Newton County Martin Road for an outstanding felony warrant for grand larceny issued in May. 

“He was placed in the back of the patrol car while deputies did some other activities in regards to his arrest and his being taken into custody,” Lauderdale County Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun said. “Deputies are in the area at this time. We’re asking for the community’s help – if anybody knows him, knows of his wheareabouts or if he contacts someone – that they would let us know immediately by calling 911.”

Calhoun said they received a recent report that Otwell had last been seen on Ball Diamond Road, not far from where he had been arrested.

Calhoun said deputies would look into how Otwell escaped the back of the patrol car – whether there was a mechanical error or a failure to follow protocol. 

Deputies don’t consider Otwell dangerous and he is unarmed. Otwell was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans.