SAN MIGUEL — An inmate who walked away from San Quentin State Prison on Dec. 26 was seen in the city of San Miguel yesterday and investigators believe he is heading south towards the Los Angeles area.
Shalom Mendoza, 21, was seen at a Dollar Store in San Miguel about 4:20 p.m. on Friday. Mendoza purchased dark clothing and is no longer wearing his prison uniform.
Mendoza was reported missing during an institutional count at approximately 9:35 p.m. on Dec. 26. He was assigned to work outside the secured perimeter of the prison, as many inmates are, and he took advantage of an opportunity to leave.
Officials believe Mendoza carjacked a victim in a Home Depot parking lot near the prison, and took a Toyota RAV4, California license plate number 6STZ502. A vehicle matching this description was found abandoned off the 101 Freeway north of Paso Robles on Friday.
Mendoza is considered dangerous and anyone who sees him is asked to immediately contact law enforcement or call 911. If a member of the public has any information on his whereabouts, they should contact Special Agent Eric Lauren at (559) 351-3979.
Mendoza is a Hispanic male with short brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 177 pounds. He was received by CDCR from Los Angeles County on December 20, 2017 with a five-year sentence for use of deadly weapon during a carjacking/attempted carjacking and evading or attempting to evade a peace officer while driving recklessly.
Since 1977, 99 percent of all offenders who have left an adult institution, camp or community-based program without permission have been apprehended. San Quentin State Prison, California’s oldest prison, opened in 1852, houses more than 4,200 inmates and employs 1,870 people.
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Contact: Lt. Sam Robinson, (415) 455-5000
