Inmates Overpower Guards, Flee After Hijacking Van

Two Nevada prison inmates overpowered officers and escaped Saturday while being transported to other facilities.

Nevada prison spokesman Glen Whorton said a search was underway for convicted murderer James Prestridge, 39, and convicted robber John Doran, 26, who escaped after a 5:30 a.m. rest stop in Chula Vista.

“They’re considered to be dangerous, but there are conflicting reports as to whether they’re armed,” Whorton said.

The inmates overpowered one officer and took his gun while using a restroom, then returned to the van and overpowered the other officer, Whorton said.

The inmates drove the van around for a while before abandoning it in Chula Vista, located just north of the Mexico border in San Diego County.

Prestridge and Doran put both officers and other inmates in the back of the van while riding around, Whorton said. No injuries were reported.

The two inmates were being driven to other jurisdictions by a contract transport company, Extraditions International.

Prestridge, who is serving life without parole for first-degree murder from Washoe County, was en route to a North Dakota prison under an exchange arrangement.

Doran, who is serving consecutive six-year sentences for robbery from Clark County, was headed to Colorado to face other charges.