CYA Has Some Leads in Inmate’s Escape

California Youth Authority officials said Friday that they have a few leads in the case of a man convicted of attempted murder who escaped from the Ventura School early Thursday.

Hector Contreras, 21, and another inmate escaped from the Camarillo prison while working in the central kitchen. Officers think that they climbed onto the roof to escape.

“We’re going to have to re-evaluate to see if there are any areas where we need to take more security measures,” said Vivian Crawford, Ventura School supervisor.

The other inmate, Francisco Gonzalez, 18, was captured less than an hour after their 5:30 a.m. escape. He was convicted of murder in 1993 in Ventura County.

Crawford said the CYA’s apprehension department is searching for Contreras, but Ventura County sheriff’s officials said they were not conducting an active search.

Crawford said other law enforcement agencies will join the search in the case of substantial leads or sightings.

“Generally, these guys leave the area where they escape,” she said. “We are currently checking with friends and family.”

Contreras had been imprisoned since 1992 when he was convicted of attempted murder in Los Angeles County for shooting at a man at the Santa Monica Pier. He was up for parole in June, 1996.

Contreras is described as 5 foot 9, 137 pounds with medium complexion, black hair, brown eyes, a one-inch scar on his forehead and the number “41” tattooed in the web of his right hand.