'Extremely dangerous' felon escapes from Santa Ana halfway house, again
Authorities are urging people not to approach him if he's spotted.
SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A felon described as "extremely dangerous and violent" is on the run after walking away from a halfway house in Orange County - again.
According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Ike Souzer, 20, was released from custody Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to one count of felony vandalism.
He was sentenced to 90 days in county jail credit time and placed on formal probation for two years. The DA's office said personnel with Project Kinship, a group that helps convicted criminals re-enter society after their release, transported Souzer from jail to a transitional housing location in Santa Ana.
Once he arrived at the house, he left and never returned. Investigators said he "failed to notify his probation officer of his whereabouts in violation of the terms of his formal probation."
"I consider him armed, I consider him dangerous, I consider him an absolute menace," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "He's escaped before, he's absconded, he's had weapons in jail, he's assaulted correctional officers, and now he's on the loose again."
In April 2022, Souzer escaped from Project Kinship following his release from jail with an electronic monitor. After a countywide manhunt, Souzer was found on Easter at a homeless encampment in Anaheim where he was later arrested.
In 2019, while he was on trial in juvenile court for the killing of his 47-year-old mother, Barbara Scheuer-Souzer, he escaped from juvenile hall in Orange and was arrested the next day. He was later convicted for the murder.
Officials say Souzer should be considered dangerous. If you see him, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.
"The only time the community is safe is when he's in custody," said Spitzer.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this report stated that Souzer checked into Project Kinship in Santa Ana but left and never returned. The Orange County DA's office issued a clarification Friday, clarifying that the halfway house does not belong to Project Kinship.
