OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The administrator who escaped the Oklahoma County detention center on Wednesday while allegedly driving away in a detention officer’s car is back in custody.

A Nicoma Park Police Department officer apprehended Nicholas Leach, 41, who escaped from jail on Wednesday night after allegedly stealing a wireless remote that opens the back door and car keys in the backpack of a detention officer.

Authorities have confirmed that Leach was found in a structural fire. No information has yet been provided on why he was in this area or if he had any connection to the fire.

Leach was working with custodial officers and another inmate on Wednesday night, carrying out projects in the prison’s maintenance area, Mark Opgrande, director of communications for the Oklahoma County Corrections Department, told KFOR on Thursday.

Opgrande said Leach apologized for using the restroom and that’s when he saw the detention officer’s backpack.

“All employees who come here should have clear backpacks when working on the secure side,” Opgrande said. “So he was able to see through the backpack and saw what he achieved was the opener and also a set of keys.”

Surveillance footage showed Leach under the garage as the back door opened. He then meandered behind a building and ran down the back alley.

He clicked on the car key fob at the top of the driveway, locating the detention officer’s car. He then jumped into the car and took off on Classen.

Officers arrested Leach in 2019 after he allegedly attempted to break into the China King restaurant in Edmond. He was turned away from Oklahoma County jail because he said he had symptoms of COVID-19.

Leach was incarcerated in the Oklahoma County Jail last May and has been there since.

The detention officer whose door opener and keys were stolen has resigned from his post, according to Opgrande.