Registered Sex Offender Escapes Custody

A registered sex offender mistakenly assigned to a fire suppression crew by Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials escaped Monday afternoon when he caught a ride with a passing motorist, authorities said.

John Alvarez, 54, was serving a 90-day sentence at the Pitchess Detention Center in Saugus after he was convicted of being under the influence of a controlled substance and petty theft, according to a statement from Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Payne.

But the statement said Alvarez also had an outstanding warrant and was a registered sex offender in Arizona. He was assigned to the crew as a “result of a staff oversight,” Payne said.

Alvarez apparently walked away from the crew and was given a ride by a passing motorist, who dropped him off near Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia, Payne said.

He was wearing blue dungarees, a blue denim shirt and black shoes, Payne said.