Argument Turns Into Near Riot at Jail
An argument among inmates erupted into a near riot at Mira Loma County Jail in Lancaster as about 50 men broke windows, overturned bunks and armed themselves with broom handles, authorities said.
The melee erupted Thursday night in the barracks when one inmate accused another of stealing some of his belongings, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Cox said. The fight then moved to the men’s exercise compound, he said.
It took deputies about 10 minutes to quell the disturbance with verbal commands, Cox said.
Five inmates suffered minor injuries in the fight and were taken to the jail ward at County-USC Medical Center, where they were treated and then taken to the downtown Men’s Central Jail, Cox said. An additional 44 inmates were taken directly to the Men’s Central Jail, he said.
No charges have been filed against the inmates while the investigation continues, Cox said.
Mira Loma is a minimum- to medium-security jail that houses about 1,000 men and women.
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