By Eric Heinz
Three inmates who escaped from the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana last Friday, Jan. 23, remain on the loose as of press time. The three men were scheduled to face trial for crimes ranging from attempted murder to torture. The escapees are Hossein Nayeri, 37; Jonathan Tieu, 20; and Bac Tien Duong, 43.
Nayeri is suspected of collaborating with other suspects to kidnap a medical marijuana dispensary owner, torturing him with a blowtorch, whipping him with a pistol and eventually cutting off his penis. According to court documents, Nayeri and the others thought the owner had money stored somewhere in the desert.
Tieu is suspected of a 2011 gang-related murder in Orange County, and Duong is suspected of attempted murder by shooting inside a home.
All three men were being held and awaiting trial. While Duong was held on $1 million bail, the other two had no bail set.
The men are suspected of escaping through a ventilation tunnel after cutting the screen to the outgoing tunnel. They used linens to rappel from the top of the jail and eventually jumping the fence.
Sheriff’s Deputies on Monday said it is more than likely the suspects have not left the county and could be holed up in the area known as “Little Saigon,” which has a large Vietnamese population.
All three of the suspects are to be considered “extremely dangerous,” according to Orange County Sherriff’s Department officials.
Anyone with information leading to the capture of the men is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department crime hotline at 714.628.7085. The FBI, Orange County and OCSD have collectively announced a $200,000 incentive for people who provide information that leads authorities to the suspects. OCSD continues to provide updates several times daily on the progress of the search.
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