Inmate escapes from facility at Point MacKenzie

An inmate walked away from the Point MacKenzie Rehabilitation Facility Thursday night after the 8 p.m. head count, and police are asking the public for information on his whereabouts.

Kenneth D. Lucas, 33, was incarcerated for second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance in May 2001, and was serving time at Point MacKenzie to receive treatment until his scheduled release date of Aug. 26, 2003.

Department of Corrections officials were notified of Lucas' disappearance just after 9 p.m., and alerted law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for Lucas, said DOC spokesman Bruce Richards.

By Monday morning, police still had not located Lucas.

Earlier Thursday, Lucas reportedly had a visitor who tried to pass him a controlled substance, Richards said. Law enforcement agents were notified to investigate the incident.

Lucas was able to walk away after the 8 p.m. count because there are no fences at Point MacKenzie.

Lucas was not considered a high-risk inmate and qualified to finish the remainder of his sentence at the farm, Richards said. He is not considered dangerous.

Previous convictions in Lucas' statewide court records include theft and traffic offenses.

To report information, contact the Alaska State Troopers at 746-2131, Wasilla Police Department at 373-9074 or Palmer Police at 745-4811.