Sheriff: Search continues for escaped San Benito County inmate – SanBenito.com

Law enforcement agencies across the region continue to search for Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from the San Benito County Jail early Tuesday morning, authorities said. The Sheriff's Office is asking the public to remain vigilant and call 911 if anyone sees him.

The San Benito County Sheriff's Office said investigators believe Zavala may have been picked up by a motorist on Airway Drive, a short distance from the jail. Anyone who sees Zavala should exercise “extreme caution” due to his criminal history, the sheriff's office added.

Zavala was last seen wearing a brown jail shirt, orange jail pants and black shoes, according to the sheriff's office. Zavala is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 190 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes. He is 37 years old and was born on November 18, 1985.

About 1:53 a.m. on May 28, Zavala escaped from the jail, located at 710 Flynn Road, by scaling the sally port fence while performing janitorial work, authorities said. The fence was topped with barbed wire, but Zavala still managed to scale the fence.

Jail staff saw him jump the fence and immediately called for help, the sheriff's office said. Three officers arrived at the jail within a minute and attempted to establish a perimeter. Deputies called for help to the perimeter, and Hollister police along with the sheriff's office K9 units and the California Highway Patrol arrived shortly after.

Additional area law enforcement officers and resources, including a Santa Cruz County Sheriff's drone operator, arrived as authorities conducted a search of the area surrounding the jail, the office said of the sheriff.

K9 dogs detected Zavala's scent around 3:30 a.m. and found his pants abandoned in a field, authorities said. The dogs followed the scent to the area of ​​the 1800 block of Airway Drive, where they lost the scent. Investigators believe Zavala was picked up by someone in a vehicle near that location.

Officers from local and regional public safety agencies, including the Coast Guard Air Unit, CAL FIRE and Monterey County SWAT, were completing their searches in the immediate area late in the afternoon of May 28.

Authorities are still “actively searching” for Zavala, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

“(We) will continue to use all leads and technology to track and apprehend him and anyone assisting him,” the press release said. “We do not believe there is a specific threat to the public; however, due to his extensive criminal history, we are extremely motivated and determined to quickly take him into custody.

Zavala has tattoos on his chest, one representing “San Benito County” and the other “Hollis,” authorities added. He also has tattoos on his right and left arms and shoulders, with skulls and portraits of women. Additional tattoos include “ESN” on her upper back, “Alexia” on her right abdomen, and “Amaya” on her left abdomen.

The escapee is known to frequent addresses in Hollister and to associate with “Northern gang members,” the sheriff's office said.

Zavala had not been convicted at the time of his escape. Current charges against Zavala, according to the sheriff's office, include resisting a peace officer, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, felony firearm charges, cruelty to children , parole violation, domestic violence and other crimes.

Previous criminal charges against Zavala date back to 2002, the sheriff's office added.

If anyone sees Zavala, they should call 911 or the sheriff's office at 831.636.4080, authorities said. Sightings can also be reported via TEXT-A-TIP to 888777 by typing TIP SBCSO followed by your message.