Man convicted of murder escapes police custody in California, manhunt underway

CNN
—

A man convicted of murder escaped from police custody Monday and the search is ongoing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, escaped from a van shortly after being transported to a court appearance at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano around 10:45 a.m. local time, the Department of Corrections said in a statement.

“Upon arrival, Hernandez eluded staff custody, jumped out of the van and is currently at large,” the department said.

Hernandez is serving a 25-year-to-life sentence for first-degree murder with the possibility of parole, the agency said.

Delano police and other law enforcement agencies are assisting in the search for Hernandez. Community members were asked to “immediately report any suspicious activity or sighting,” according to police.

According to the corrections department, he is 1.75 meters tall and weighs about 75 kilograms. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermal suits, Delano police said.

Delano is approximately 25 miles north of Bakersfield and 130 miles northwest of Los Angeles.