By Khalida Sarwari
The three inmates who slipped out of Monterey County jail through a hole in the fence surrounding an exercise yard this morning are facing new felony charges for their escape attempt, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Ezequiel Gonzalez, 32, Angel Ocampo, 28, and Jorge Rico, 28, allegedly attempted to escape at about 9:30 a.m. from the exercise yard on top of the two-story main jail facility located at 1410 Natividad Road in Salinas.
A deputy who observed the escape notified staff and the inmates were captured and taken into custody about half an hour later at three different locations, including near Natividad Hospital, in the creek area of Natividad Creek Park, and near the Regional Occupation Program at the County’s Laurel Drive Complex.
“(A jailbreak) hasn’t happened at our main jail facility in years,” Cmdr. Mike Richards said. A cursory records check showed that the last forced escape from the jail occurred in 1995.
The sheriff’s office is investigating how the three inmates, who were all being held on multiple felony charges, were able to escape.
Ocampo is being held on charges of homicide, attempted homicide, shooting into an occupied vehicle, street terrorism and an immigration hold. Gonzalez is being detained on three counts of homicide, street terrorism and other charges including a parole hold. Rico is serving time for charges that include kidnapping, kidnapping during a carjacking, carjacking and attempted murder.
The California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Probation, and Salinas police also assisted in the search and capture.