Inmate escapes from re-entry facility in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities are looking for a state prison inmate who escaped from a Los Angeles County re-entry facility last Wednesday.

Joseph R. Gallegos, 29, was being transferred from Kern Valley State Prison to the Male Community Re-Entry Program in Los Angeles County. Around 4:30 p.m., Gallegos, who was wearing a GPS device, was seen jumping over a fence, ignoring orders to stop. He then jumped into a waiting car.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation dispatched agents to locate and apprehend Gallegos. He was serving a three-year sentence for evading or attempting to evade a police officer while driving recklessly, vehicle theft with prior car-related theft convictions, receiving a stolen car and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.

Gallegos also served multiple short-term prison sentences in 2009 and 2013 for possession of marijuana for sale, vehicle theft and possession of a firearm by a felon or addict.

He was described as a Hispanic man with brown eyes and black hair. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds. Anyone who sees Gallegos or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.