Authorities are looking for an inmate being held on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and evading police who escaped from a jail in Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, officials said.
Mario Abraham Tafoya, 19, vanished from the West Valley Detention Center, 9500 Etiwanda Ave., about 3:20 p.m., the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement. He was described as a transient with ties to Redlands. He’s also known to frequent San Bernardino and Highland.
“Deputies from WVDC and the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department immediately began a search of the area,” according to the statement. “Additional deputies from the Specialized Enforcement Division, Specialized Investigations Division, Sheriff’s Aviation and K-9 units are assisting in the search.”
Tafoya was arrested on Jan. 31 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and evading police with disregard for public safety, officials said.
Authorities described Tafoya as Latino, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 152 pounds, with brown hair, green eyes and numerous facial tattoos. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and no shoes.
Anyone who spots the escapee is urged to call 911 immediately.