Officials are looking for 22-year-old Herbert Preston, who was reported missing from the Lake County Jail on Sunday, September 6, 2009. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Jail.

NORTH LAKEPORT – Officials reported Sunday that they are seeking a male subject who is believed to have escaped from the Lake County Jail.

A 22-year-old transient out of Clearlake, Herbert Alexander Preston, was reported missing from the facility, according to a Sunday afternoon report from Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday at about 10 a.m. sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Lafferty Road in North Lakeport on a report that a male subject had been seen swimming and then getting out of the waters of Clear Lake in denim pants and boots, Bauman said.

Deputies arrived in the area but were unable to locate the subject, according to Bauman.

Given the close proximity of the Lake County Jail and the area where the subject was seen, and the similarity in clothing to that issued to minimum security inmates, the jail was notified of the sighting, he said.

The jail conducted a formal count as a precaution, Bauman said, and it was confirmed that Preston was missing from the facility.

Bauman said Preston had been in custody since being arrested by the Clearlake Police Department and booked on charges of vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, and hit and run on July 29.

He also has an outstanding warrant out of Sonoma County and is the subject of another open investigation being conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department, Bauman said.

Bauman explained that Preston was last accounted for at the jail Sunday at about 9 a.m. when he was proceeding with a group of other inmates to church services at the facility.

Preston is described as a 22-year-old white male adult, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 160 pounds, and clean shaven with short black hair and hazel eyes.

He was last seen at the jail wearing black work boots and clothed in blue denim jeans, a light blue denim shirt, and a white undershirt.

Notification of his escape has been made to all law enforcement agencies within and adjacent to Lake County, Bauman said.

Any possible sightings of Preston or other information as to his whereabouts should be reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department by calling 707-263-2690.