Five Inmates Break Out Of Madera County Jail Near Fresno, California

A manhunt was underway Saturday for five inmates who escaped from Madera County jail near Fresno, California, but officials said they don't know how the five inmates managed to get out. The Madera County Sheriff’s office identified the fugitives as Abel Ramos, 25, Juan Lopez, 33, Ricardo Cendejas, 19, Roel Soliz, 29, and George Lopez-Diaz, 26.

The escape occurred about 9:15 p.m. Friday and it was about an hour before jail personnel noticed, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The five were being held on a variety of charges, including attempted murder and armed robbery. They were dressed in either orange jumpsuits or white T- shirts with blue shorts and orange jail sandals.

"We don't know how they got away. All we know is that they took off on foot," sheriff's spokeswoman Erica Stuart said. "We're looking for them. They should all be considered armed and very dangerous."

Anyone with information was encouraged to call the Madera County Sheriff’s office at 559-675-7770 or Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP.

This is the second inmate escape this summer from the jail, which is run by the Madera County Department of Corrections. The previous escape occurred as an inmate was taking out the jail’s garbage, the Fresno Bee reported.