Escapee from Adelanto was suspect in Ontario crimes

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Created: 08/18/2009 02:41:10 PM PDT

ADELANTO - A man suspected in an Ontario carjacking, kidnapping and robbery escaped from Adelanto Detention Center on Tuesday, the first escape since the jail opened three years ago.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies discovered Joel Maldonado, 25, had escaped when they did not find him in his cell at 12:20 a.m.

"Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts should use caution and notify law enforcement immediately," said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers.

Deputies on the ground and using helicopter surveillance searched the area in the wee hours and couldn't find him.

Sheriff's officials said it appears Maldonado may have accessed the roof of the facility to escape.

Joel Maldonado, an inmate at the Adelanto Detention Center, escaped custody early Aug. 18. Investigators continued to look for the man Tuesday, fanning out farther from the jail.

"They will follow up on any known locations, places that he would frequent, whether it would be family or friends," Beavers said. "They are also following up with Border Patrol because he has an immigration hold."

Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement had placed a hold on Maldonado while they determined his legal status in the U.S.

Maldonado was arrested December 3 by Ontario police and was scheduled for a court hearing Aug. 25, Beavers said.

He was responsible for a string of robberies that happened over a two week period shortly before he was arrested, Ontario Captain John Evans said.

Maldonado targeted "mom and pop-type stores" and was sometimes armed during the crimes, Evans said.

The Ontario Police Department is working with the Sheriff's Department to find Maldonado.

He is Latino, 5-feet-9 inches tall and 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Sheriff's officials said Maldonado has ties to Ontario, Rialto and San Bernardino.

Adelanto Detention Center houses 735 inmates and has been open since January 2006.

Anyone with information may call sheriff's dispatch, (760) 245-4211 or WeTip, (800) 78-CRIME.

Staff Writer Lori Consalvo contributed to this story.

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