Law enforcement is still working to find a murder convict in Southern California more than a week after his escape.
Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, jumped out of a prison van and evaded staff as he arrived at the Kern County Superior Courthouse around 10:45 a.m. local time on Dec. 2.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, his trial was scheduled for two felony convictions at the prison in Delano, about two and a half hours north of Los Angeles. Hernandez was charged with possession or manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner and possession of a controlled substance in prison.
Before his escape, Hernandez was being held at Kern Valley State Prison. CDCR received him from Los Angeles County on June 27, 2019.
As the manhunt continues as of Wednesday evening, a “be on the lookout” warning has been issued to law enforcement. CDCR said it had to limit certain information to the public because officials protect the confidentiality of sensitive details, but it was “fully committed to locating and apprehending Hernandez.”
The 34-year-old is described as 1.75 meters tall and weighing around 70 kilograms. The CDCR said he has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing an orange top and pants.
What was Cesar M. Hernandez convicted of?
Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, the CDCR confirmed in a Dec. 2 statement.
His sentence was then doubled because it was a second offense. The sentence was later increased to 80 years, with the possibility of parole for discharging a firearm during the crime and for a prior offense, according to the CDCR.
How did Hernandez escape custody?
Hernandez's escape remains under investigation, but the CDCR confirmed he jumped out of a prison van after arriving at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano on Dec. 2.
Before he made his way to the courthouse, he was placed in both leg and waist shackles, the department confirmed.
Both correctional officers involved in Herandez's transfer have retained their job titles and are currently working in non-transportation-related assignments, the CDCR reported.
About 99% of all inmates who escaped or escaped without permission from CDCR prisons, camps or community-based programs since 1977 were recaptured, according to the agency.
What to do if you have information about Hernandez's whereabouts?
The CDCR encourages anyone who sees Hernandez or has information about his whereabouts to choose one of the following options:
All information concerning him will be treated confidentially. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information on Hernandez's whereabouts.
Contributors: Greta Cross, USA TODAY and Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The manhunt continues for fugitive California killer Cesar Hernandez
