Member of Jail Work Crew Escapes

A 25-year-old man arrested for violating probation escaped from a work crew here Thursday afternoon, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Crew supervisors discovered Alberto Romero missing shortly before 4 p.m., when he and other inmates were preparing to ride a bus back to James A. Musick Branch Jail near the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Lt. Bob Rivas said.

It was not immediately clear how Romero escaped, Rivas said, and Sheriff’s Department officials were investigating.

Romero was assigned to a work crew at a Sheriff’s Department facility at 1900 W. Katella Ave., which houses two shooting ranges and classrooms for training of deputies, Rivas said.

Sheriff’s investigators do not consider Romero a danger, Rivas said.

Romero, a transient, was due for release in December, four months after being arrested by county Probation Department authorities, Rivas said.

Romero was wearing blue jail-issued pants and shirt and brown boots, Rivas said. Romero is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, Rivas said.