Search Conducted for Escaped Merced Inmate

By KSEE News

Adrian Hicks

December 26, 2012 Updated Dec 26, 2012 at 11:47 AM PDT

Merced authorities are searching for an inmate who escaped from a correctional facility early Wednesday morning using a whole inside a bathroom ceiling in the building.

Adrian Hicks, 39 of Merced was arrested on December 13th on a warrant by Merced Police Department for possession of stolen property, grand theft, both with priors and felony evading a peace officer. He was being held without bail at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility

After a head count after 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, correctional officers discovered blankets on the fence behind one of the dorms. Another head count was conducted and it was discovered that Hicks had gotten out through a hole in the bathroom ceiling sometime after the morning head count.

A county wide alert was sent to allied agencies, deputies, and a search is being conducted for the suspect at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.