Law enforcement in Southern California are still searching for murder convict Cesar M. Hernandez, who escaped from a prison van at the Kern County Superior Courthouse on Dec. 2. Hernandez was facing charges related to possession of a deadly weapon and controlled substances in prison. He was transferred from Los Angeles County to Kern Valley State Prison in June 2019, where he was serving a sentence of 80 years to life for first-degree murder. Hernandez escaped custody while being transported to court for a hearing in Delano, about 2-and-a-half hours north of Los Angeles. He was last seen wearing an orange top and pants and is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 161 pounds.
Law enforcement agencies have issued a “Be on the Lookout” alert for Hernandez, and the manhunt is ongoing as of Wednesday evening. The CDCR is asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals at 661-979-1187, call Incident Commander Lt. Anthony Sotello at 661-721-6300 extension 5506, or call 911. All information provided will be kept confidential, and the U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Hernandez’s capture. The details surrounding Hernandez’s escape are still under investigation, and the two correctional officers involved in his transfer have not been reassigned from their positions. Law enforcement remains fully committed to locating and apprehending Hernandez to ensure public safety.
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