2nd California fugitive inmate arrested after standoff

Authorities said Chavez was arrested without incident and taken to a hospital because he was suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Detectives found he was carrying crack cocaine and marijuana, Smith said.

Fernandez, who is on probation, was also arrested and is facing charges of resisting and obstructing an investigation, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being an accessory to an escaped inmate.

Late Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Service and police in Antioch arrested 26-year-old Laron Campbell.

Chavez and Campbell escaped with two other prisoners last week by cutting through the bars covering a second-story window and then rappelling to the ground on a bedsheet rope. The others were quickly apprehended.

Campbell’s sister, Marcaysha Alexander, 24, was also arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rich Glennon said authorities received “numerous tips” that helped authorities locate Campbell after Sheriff Laurie Smith announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the fugitives’ recapture.

Smith said the investigation is ongoing and there may be more arrests.

Chavez was awaiting trial on several felony charges, including burglary, extortion, false imprisonment, resisting arrest and firearms violations.

Campbell has been in jail since February 2015 on felony charges that include robbery, false imprisonment and making criminal threats.

Chavez and Campbell eluded a massive manhunt the night of their escape and several subsequent raids of places the two were thought hiding, including a San Jose mobile home that heavily armed deputies surrounded early Tuesday with no success.

In the process, a 35-year-old San Jose woman was arrested on suspicion of helping Chavez hide in a Gilroy motel raided Monday.

Glennon said Campbell was tracked to his sister’s home on Monday and authorities with the U.S. Marshals Service and Antioch Police launched a stake out. Glennon said a raid was planned for Tuesday night and a warrant obtained after officials spotted Campbell in the house.

Glennon said Campbell fled into the home’s attic when authorities burst into the house. But he came crashing down through the flimsy roof shortly after and was taken into custody without further incident.

Glennon said authorities are looking into where Campbell spent his week on the lam and investigating if he received help beyond the alleged assistance of his sister.

Chavez and Campbell are facing possible life sentences if convicted of their pending charges. They are also expected to face new charges related to their escapes.

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This story has been corrected to reflect the correct first name of Santa Clara County Sheriff’s spokesman.

Paul Elias And Olga R. Rodriguez, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

2nd California fugitive inmate arrested after standoff

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