Cuffed Man Escapes After Being Taken into Custody at San Clemente State Park
By Eric Heinz
A man is still on the loose after escaping from California State Parks authorities Monday morning.
The name of the suspect was not released by park officials, but he was described as being a white man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 130 pounds, with a shaved head, wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans.
Rich Haydon, park superintendent for San Clemente, San Onofre and Doheny State Beaches, said the male suspect was with a woman at the time he was first apprehended by state park rangers in the area of Avenida Calafia on suspicion of burglarizing a local business. The two were camping illegally.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Twitter feed reported the suspect was also wanted on a drug-related charge.
“Through the investigation the two were suspects in a commercial burglary,” Haydon said. “The male was taken into custody, and while the rangers were working the investigation he was able to get his cuffs in front of himself and got out of a window.”
Haydon said the suspect is not known to be armed or dangerous. Orange County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation at this time.
At 10:05 a.m. Concordia Elementary School was placed on a “shelter in place” order, which was lifted about an hour later.
According to Lt. Jeff Hallock, OCSD spokesman, at some point in the day the suspect was reportedly seen near San Clemente Inn, said. At 2:35 p.m. Hallock said sheriffs deputies were continuing their search for him in the 3100 block of Avenida Presidente.
OCSD Patrol units and airship (helicopter) “Duke” assisted in trying to located the suspect.
Anyone who has information regarding the man is asked to call 714.647.7000.
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