San Jose jail escapees: $20K reward offered
SAN JOSE (KTVU) -- A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of two inmates who escaped Wednesday night from the San Jose jail using some sort of metal cutter that allowed them to flee from the 1950's era jail.
Sheriff Laurie Smith said in a press conference Friday afternoon that her office is conducting an extensive search to find Rogelio Chavez and Lanon Campbell, who were with two other suspects who escaped the jail. The other two suspects were captured but Chavez and Campbell remained on the loose Friday.
"We will find these two," Sheriff Smith said, adding that the inmates were considered armed and dangerous. She said anyone found to be harboring the fugitives would be prosecuted.
"We want someone to come forward with information," Smith said.
The four inmates tied clothes and bed sheets together Wednesday night to escape the Santa Clara County main jail. The men fled from a second-floor window in the oldest section of the jail by cutting through the window bars.
Deputies became aware of the escape shortly after 11:08 p.m. Wednesday.
Chavez was booked into the jail on Aug. 17 on various charges including burglary, extortion, false imprisonment, resisting arrest and firearms violations. Campbell was booked into the jail on Feb. 12, 2015 on charges including robbery, false imprisonment, criminal threats and firearms violations, deputies said. He is described as black, 6 feet 4 inches tall and 220 pounds.
The sheriff urged anyone with information about the escapees to use extreme caution and call 911. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office at 408-808-4500.