Convicted killer escapes from prison van at Southern California courthouse
Authorities launched a manhunt after a convict serving time for a Los Angeles County murder escaped from a prison van in Kern County on Monday morning.
Cesar M. Hernandez was being transported to a court appearance at Kern County Superior Court in Delano about 10:45 a.m., California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said.
"Upon arrival, Hernandez evaded staff custody, jumped out of the van, and is currently at large," according to a CDCR statement.
He was described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 161 pounds, officials said. Hernandez has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing an orange shirt and orange pants.
Agents from CDCR were joined by the California Highway Patrol, the Delano Police Department and the McFarland Police Department in the search for the escaped inmate.
Hernandez received a prison sentence of 25 years to life for first-degree murder as a second-strike offense in Los Angeles County in 2019, prison officials said.
Roughly 99% of all inmates who have escaped or absconded from CDCR prisons, camps or community-based programs without permission since 1977 have been recaptured, according to the agency.
Anyone who spots Hernandez was urged to call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information can also contact CDCR Lt. Anthony Sotello at (661) 721-6300, ext. 5506.