Captured: Lincoln County escapee nabbed while buying chips at Chandler store

A Lincoln County escapee was captured Tuesday morning blocks away from the jail in Chandler when a hunger for some potato chips led him into a local convenience store, where someone recognized him.
Michael John Washburn, 28, made his break from the jail about noon Monday after finishing a meeting with his attorney, David Ball. Washburn allegedly shoved attorney Ball out of his way and fled through an open door and exited the sheriff’s office. A deputy reportedly chased him, but lost track of him.
A massive search began and continued overnight as every vehicle in Chandler was stopped and searched while both ground officers with dogs along with air support from planes and helicopters searched the entire area. Officers secured the town’s perimeter, making it difficult for Washburn to get very far.
After being on the lam less than 24 hours, Washburn was taken into custody about 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Phillips 66 gas station and convenience store on the corner of 13th Street.
Washburn was apprehended by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop Z investigators after they received a tip that he was in the store buying potato chips.
Lincoln County Undersheriff Billy Sims said someone waved down a trooper searching in that area; Washburn was arrested without incident.
Sims said Washburn wasn’t handcuffed when he escaped and he was wearing clothing other than his jail jumpsuit when he was apprehended. Sims said they’re unsure where Washburn was overnight, but said he got the clothes somewhere.
Washburn was returned to the Lincoln County jail. He now faces additional prison time for pending escape charges.
At the time he bolted from jail, Washburn was awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections to begin a 20-year sentence for shooting with intent to kill. Washburn was convicted July 10 in a non-jury trial and sentenced Sept. 3 for a 2007 incident involving shots fired at someone he knew, prosecutors said. Washburn was meeting with his attorney Monday about an appeal of that conviction when he was able to make his jailbreak.
The escape put the town of Chandler and its residents on a heightened sense of alert. Immediately after the escape, all school buildings in Chandler were placed on lock-down for student safety.
Sims said countless officers from multiple agencies, including the OHP, tribal police and other Lincoln County law enforcement agencies including Chandler, Wellston, Sparks and Davenport police, assisted in the search efforts.
“We’re just glad he’s back,” Sims said. “We had all kinds of help — we just can’t thank them enough.”
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.