Mariposa man drives through gate at county jail in possible attempt to free inmates

A Mariposa man is being evaluated by mental health workers after he drove his car through a locked gate at the Mariposa County Jail on Friday morning and yelled at inmates about a bomb.

The man, who isn't being identified because of possible medical issues, drove up to the metal gate and then accelerated through it, stopping inside the jail's main yard, according to Mariposa CHP Sgt. Becky Hagen. He then opened every door of his car and started yelling at inmates to get in the car because a bomb was about to explode.

There was no bomb, Hagen said.

Nobody was injured during the incident, but the man was taken to John C. Fremont Hospital for medical evaluation. The man is familiar to Mariposa-area law enforcement, Hagen said.

The gate is being repaired.

-- Posted by Brandon Bowers