Possible Prison Escapee Sighting Spurs Search In SE OKC

Law enforcement across the state is on the lookout for an inmate who walked away from a Department of Corrections facility in Alva over the weekend. 

Related: OKC Police Assisting In Escaped Inmate Search

Oklahoma City Police said Joey Mena, 45, may have been seen on Tuesday morning on the southeast side of the city. The possible sighting spurred a search involving the U.S. Marshals Service and Oklahoma City Police.

Related: Authorities Search For Woods County Escaped Inmate

An officer attempted to stop a man walking in the street on the southeast side of the city, who was believed to be Mena, but said the man ran off. 

Law enforcement focused their search on a property near Southeast 59th and Bryant Avenue that was owned by Rey Palomino.

“They called me this morning,” Rey Palomino, the property owner, said. “I was in my home about eight o’clock this morning.”

Palomino was shocked to learn police were looking for a prison escapee. Authorities believe Mena was with his girlfriend 27-year-old Michelle Kjeldgaard.

“I tell them I never seen them before,” Palomino said.

Palomino said police were looking inside trucks on his property and used K-9s and drones to check the property. 

The Marshals did not find the wanted inmate and could not confirm the man who ran from the officer was Mena.

Authorities said Mena is possibly armed and dangerous. He was serving time for multiple felony convictions including larceny of a vehicle and grand larceny. Kjeldgaard has similar felony convictions.

Police ask citizens to call 911 if they spot Mena or know of his whereabouts.