Mistake Lets Sex Offender Escape From Custody
A registered sex offender mistakenly assigned to a fire suppression crew by the Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials escaped from custody Monday afternoon after catching a ride with a passing motorist, authorities said.
John Alvarez, 54, was serving a 90-day sentence at the Peter Pitchess Detention Center after he was convicted of being under the influence of a controlled substance and petty theft, said Lt. Michael Payne.
But officials said he had an outstanding warrant and was also a registered sex offender in Arizona. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department blamed his assignment to a fire suppression crew as a staff oversight.
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.
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