Sex Offender Captured After Escape From Crew

A sex offender mistakenly assigned to a brush clearance unit was recaptured late Monday night in El Monte, hours after he walked away from the work crew, authorities said.

John Alvarez, 54, was serving a 90-day sentence at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic after he was convicted of being under the influence of a controlled substance and petty theft, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Alvarez had a warrant outstanding and is a registered sex offender in Arizona, according to Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Payne.

He was assigned to the fire crew as a “result of a staff oversight,” Payne said. Usually, only nonviolent offenders who do not pose a threat to the public are assigned to fire crews, officials said.

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

Sheriff’s deputies from the Pitchess Detention Center, Santa Clarita Valley, Palmdale and Lancaster combed the Castaic area, Valencia and other parts of the Santa Clarita Valley without success.

Detectives turned their attention to El Monte, where they learned Alvarez had family. At about 10:20 p.m., detectives spotted Alvarez walking near the intersection of Peck Road and Valley Boulevard, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Alvarez was arrested without incident on suspicion of escape. If convicted, Alvarez could serve a year or more in state prison, officials said.

Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Killeen said escapes from fire suppression groups are rare.

“It is a job within the jail that inmates value,” Killeen said. “It’s outdoors, busy and it’s more rewarding than lying around in a cell all day. They don’t want to jeopardize it. This is very infrequent.”