LOS ANGELES — Law enforcement officials have arrested an offender who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Los Angeles on January 6, 2019.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety Special Service Unit agents apprehended Ramon O. Lara at an abandoned home in the city of Pacoima. Lara attempted to flee the scene, but was successfully placed into custody without incident. He is being transported to California Institution for Men in Chino.
Lara, 34, was discovered missing from the MCRP on Jan. 6 after officials discovered his electronic monitoring device had been tampered with. He was received by CDCR from Los Angeles County on Oct. 5, 2018, with a three-year sentence for vehicle theft. His case will be referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges.
MCRP allows eligible offenders committed to state prison to serve the end of their sentences in the reentry center and provides them the programs and tools necessary to transition from custody to the community. It is a voluntary program for male offenders who have approximately 12 months left to serve. The program links offenders to a range of community-based rehabilitative services that assist with substance use disorders, mental health care, medical care, employment, education, housing, family reunification and social support.
OCS’s mission is to protect the public and serve CDCR investigative and security interests. OCS is the primary departmental link with allied law enforcement agencies and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Since 1977, 99 percent of all offenders who have left an adult institution, camp, or community-based program without permission have been apprehended. For MCRP, 100 percent of walkaways have been returned to state custody.
###
Contact: (916) 445-4950