Escaped inmate captured in San Jose hotel with girlfriend: sheriff
Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from San Benito County Jail, was apprehended in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, sheriff's officials said.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - An escaped inmate from San Benito County was located and captured along with his girlfriend at a hotel in San Jose on Wednesday night, sheriff's officials said.
Daniel Lopez Zavala, 38, escaped from the San Benito County Correctional Facility in Hollister early Tuesday by scaling an eight-foot barbed wire fence, according to the San Benito County Sheriff's Office.
Minutes after the escape, law enforcement authorities fanned out in the area but could not locate the inmate. The sheriff's office issued a regional alert for the escapee.
They said on Wednesday, along with the San Jose Police Department, deputies followed a lead in the case that brought them to a hotel in San Jose.
There, they located Zavala along with his 31-year-old girlfriend, Luz Mendoza of Hollister. "We know Luz helped Mr. Zavala during his escape and we are recommending full prosecution of her," sheriff's officials said in their announcement of Zavala's apprehension.
Officials said that while they did not deem him a specific threat to the public, they were very motivated to promptly bring him back into custody due to what they called "his extensive criminal history."
He has been charged with drug possession, felony gun charges and child abuse, the sheriff said.
Following his re-arrest, sheriff's officials said they were working on improving security measures at the jail and addressing staffing concerns.
Luz Mendoza, 31, of Hollister was arrested in San Jose, Calif. along with escaped inmate Daniel Lopez Zavala, the San Benito Sheriff's Office said.