Local News in Brief : Escapee Captured After 4 Hours of Freedom

An inmate who escaped from a minimum-security prison in Saugus with only 12 days to go on a 90-day sentence was captured Tuesday morning about five miles from the facility, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Geraldo Martinez, 23, who was serving a sentence at the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho for a car burglary conviction, was noticed missing at 10 p.m. Monday, said Deputy Detta Roberts. He was captured four hours later when two deputies on patrol noticed a man walking along Parker Road wearing only shorts and a shirt, despite very cool temperatures.

“A closer look revealed that his inside-out shirt had the words ‘L.A. County Jail’ printed on it,” Roberts said.

Roberts said Martinez could face additional jail time if he is charged with escape. She said authorities did not know why the inmate left the facility with less than two weeks to go on his sentence.

Martinez, of Los Angeles, escaped Monday shortly before a 10 p.m. head-count of inmates. Roberts said Martinez had been present during a 7 p.m. count and participated in an 8:30 p.m. basketball game with other inmates.