Lerdo Detention Center
BAKERSFIELD — A 23-year-old Kern County Jail inmate is back in custody after trying a daring escape on Tuesday morning.
Ramon Castro, who was already in custody for felony resisting arrest, is now facing additional charges of attempted murder, felony escape, felony vandalism, auto theft, resisting arrest and several counts of assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping. He is being held on $1,360,000 bail.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 7:30 a.m. on March 2, at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility in northwest Bakersfield.
“While loading inmates onto a transportation van to transport them for court appearances, the suspect was able to remove his waist chain handcuffs, enter the driver’s side of the van and lock the door,” said Public Information Officer Ray Pruitt . “He then refused to comply with deputies commands to exit the van, driving away at a high rate of speed, knocking at least one deputy to the ground.”
Deputies said Castro then drove the van through the jails grounds with six other inmates still in the rear of the van.
“At one point, the suspect drove through a closed, locked gate, forcing the gate open,” Pruitt said.
In an effort to stop Castro, additional detentions deputies were alerted and entered a personal vehicle to assist in locating the van and its inmates.
As they were parked at the main gate, Castro rammed the rear of their vehicle, rendering the transportation van disabled.
“Detentions deputies were then able to remove the suspect from the van and take him into custody,” Pruitt said.
According to authorities, four sheriff employees involved in this incident sustained minor injuries, as well as three inmates that were seated in the rear the van, and Castro.
All were taken to nearby hospitals and treated.
