DANA POINT : Inmate Escapes From Work Crew

A minimum-security inmate in custody for burglary and narcotics violations escaped from a work crew on a flood control project Monday, Sheriff’s Department officials said.

He was the fifth inmate from James A. Musick Branch Jail to escape in less than a month.

Elizar Armenta, 24, of Stockton was assigned to the crew at Stonehill Drive and Golden Lantern Street when his supervisor reported him missing shortly after 9 a.m., said Sheriff’s Lt. Richard J. Olson.

Armenta, who authorities said was not considered a danger to the public, was arrested in May in Santa Ana and was scheduled to be released in January, Olson said.

Armenta was described as 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

In the earlier incidents:

Raul Abram, 36, was discovered missing June 15 from a county crew working at a landfill at Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon Avenue.

Cody Wayne Hildreth, 33, jumped a fence at Orange County Fire Station 16 on Modjeska Canyon Road in Modjeska on June 8 but was recaptured about 20 minutes later.

On May 29 two inmates escaped in separate incidents. David Orland Campbell, 30, ran away from a work crew on Jamboree Road in Newport Beach. Hours later, Jose Hector Ruizgomez, 19, escaped from a work crew at the Musick facility, authorities said.