An inmate at the Grays Harbor County Jail escaped Wednesday afternoon and is still on the loose after hiding in a garbage can that was taken outside, according to the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office in a press release.

At approximately 3 p.m., it was discovered that inmate James Bartholomew had escaped from the jail. Bartholomew was a kitchen trustee in the jail, and an investigation determined he had hid in a large garbage can before another trustee took Bartholomew to the outside garbage. The other inmate had conspired to help him escape, the release states, adding that inmate will receive escape charges for assisting Bartholomew.

Bartholomew waited a short time before leaving the area on foot, the Sheriff’s Office says. Bartholomew was getting ready to plea to drug and weapons offenses, and was facing a lengthy prison sentence, the release says. Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant on Bartholomew for second-degree escape. He is 40 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and 147 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with area law enforcement and the U.S. Marshalls Task Force to locate and arrest Bartholomew.

The Sheriff’s Office says anyone who encounters Bartholomew should not approach or contact him, and asks they instead call 911 to report his location.

“If anyone has information on his possible whereabouts you can call the dispatch non-emergency number 360-533-8765 or you can contact Detective Jeremy Holmes at 360-249-3711,” the release states. “Anyone who harbors or helps Bartholomew could face criminal charges.”