Descanso
An inmate serving time for auto theft escaped from the county honor camp in Descanso Sunday and is believed to be driving a car stolen from the visitor’s parking lot. Billy Eugene Smith, 26, probably drove away from the county jail in a white Volkswagen bug with no hood, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
Sgt. Ron Cottingham said Smith was a jail trusty who did grounds maintenance and had considerable freedom. He had been in custody since March and had 90 days of his sentence remaining.
Cottingham said Smith had been working outside cleaning up brush when he was reported missing. The Volkswagen, with California license number GRT 664, was also reported missing. Smith is the second trusty to escape in three years, Cottingham said. He said escapees from the jail are usually caught within weeks.
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