UPDATE: 3 of 6 escaped Merced County inmates back in custody. Alleged murderer among them
Two more of the six inmates who escaped the Merced County Main Jail over the weekend have been captured.
Fabian Cruz Roman, 22, of Los Banos and Andres Nunez Rodriguez, 21, of Planada, were both apprehended at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the San Diego area.
Both Roman and Rodriguez were captured at the southern border attempting to cross into Mexico, according to Sheriff Vern Warnke during Wednesday online news conference.
Warnke said Roman is in state custody and will remain there. Rodriguez will be brought back to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
“I can’t emphasize enough my gratitude for all these law enforcement agencies that have participated, Stanislaus County, Tulare County, CDCR, U.S. Marshals, Warnke said. “The cooperation and the tight knitted group is phenomenal.”
Warnke said he is very confident that the three outstanding escapees will be captured soon.
“They are to be still treated as armed and dangerous because they’ve all been known to carry firearms or get their hands on it so do not approach them,” Warnke said.
Warnke said the potential of them leaving the country is a concern, but right now there is nothing to indicate that they have made it that far.
Roman is in custody on murder charges. Rodriguez is charged with attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in criminal street gang and felon in possession of a firearm.
Warnke announced another escapee Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22, of Portland, Ore., was arrested in the Firebaugh area earlier Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve been nonstop 24 hours a day since this escape was discovered and it will continue to be nonstop until all six are in custody,” Warnke said.
A tipline has been set up by the U.S. Marshals Service and a reward of up to $5,000 per escapee is being offered for any information leading to the apprehension of the three at large inmates. Information can be provided to authorities by calling 877-926-8332 or by visiting the US Marshals Service website. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
The three escapees still wanted are:
Jorge Barron, 20 of Atwater. He is 5-feet-5, 140 with black hair, brown eyes. According to Merced County Superior Court records, in August of 2017, Barron was indicted on felony charges including shooting at an inhabited dwelling or motor vehicle, personal discharge of a firearm, conspiracy and gang enhancements.
Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19, of Atwater. He is 5-feet-10 inches tall, 225 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is charged with attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm and violation of probation.
Manuel Allen Leon, 21, of Vallejo. He is 5-feet-10-inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is charged with assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evading peace officer/reckless driving, participation in criminal street gang and carrying a loaded firearm.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday that a preliminary investigation has determined the six men gained access to the roof of the jail and used a handcrafted rope to scale down the side of the building.
This story was originally published January 12, 2021 at 10:41 PM.
