Escaped Inmate Apprehended In His Sonoma County Hometown

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- An inmate who was discovered to be missing Monday morning has been apprehended after a short time on the run, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Richard Medina, who escaped from the North County Detention Facility was apprehended at a home on Jesse Ray Lane in Windsor, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Medina's absence was found out Monday morning at about 8:30 a.m. after inmate clothing was located along the outer perimeter fence of the North County Detention Facility. An immediate lockdown and head count was conducted and correctional deputies found that one inmate, 27-year-old Richard Medina of Windsor, also known as Ricardo Medina, was missing from his cell.

Medina had stuffed clothing and bedding inside a sheet to make it look like he was asleep in his cell. Deputies also located tied bed sheets in a nearby garbage can, leading them to believe the inmate climbed over the fence that is topped with razor wire.

Medina has been in custody since March 18, and was scheduled for release on Sept. 3. He's in custody on charges of battery and assault with a deadly weapon case. His conviction dates back to a 2013 incident where he was with gang members when a fight broke out in Windsor, leading to the injury of a rival gang member.

Image via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office