The State - News from July 27, 1987

The diamond pendant and other jewelry that led to the capture of “prison lovebirds,” who engineered a daring prison helicopter escape in order to be together, has been sold at auction, authorities reported. In a federal bankruptcy court auction in Oakland, jewelry owned by Ronald McIntosh and Samantha Lopez, who escaped from a federal prison in Pleasanton, but recaptured 10 days later, were snapped up in five minutes. “It’s one of the more exciting love stories I’ve heard for a long time,” one buyer said. “I’m glad to own a piece of it.” Officials said the proceeds were being used to repay investors for the swindle that had originally sent McIntosh to jail.