3 California inmates cut into plumbing tunnels to escape from jail

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo

Sunday, January 24, 2016

3 inmates cut into plumbing tunnels to escape from OC jail

Three jail inmates, including a man suspected of murder, escaped from the Orange County Men's Jail on Friday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

SANTA ANA, CA -- Three jail inmates, including a suspected murderer, escaped from a California jail, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Hossein Nayeri, 37, Jonathan Tieu, 20, and Bac Duong, 43, were last accounted for around 5am Friday. By 9pm, authorities at the jail discovered the inmates were unaccounted for. A search of the Central Jail Complex and adjacent Santa Ana Civic Center were then conducted with no results.

During a Saturday press conference, sheriff's officials said the inmates escaped with a "very well thought-out plan" that could have taken weeks or months to complete.

Officials said the inmates cut through 1/2-inch steel bars and plumbing tunnels to gain access to an unsecured roof. All three men then used sheets to rappel down to the ground and fled on foot.

"The sheriff's No. 1 priority in this is the safety of our community," said Lt. Jeff Hallock during a press conference. "We have dedicated all available resources to this search and investigation so that we may bring all three inmates back into custody."

Hossein, who has been in custody since September 2014, faces charges for kidnapping, aggravated mayhem, torture and burglary. He was held without bail, according to Hallock.

Tieu faces charges for murder, shooting at an inhabited home, a criminal street gang enhancement and attempted murder. He was held on a $1 million bail and had been in custody since October 2013.

Bac was held without bail due to an immigration hold since December 2015. He faces charges for attempted murder, an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property, car theft, assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an inhabited home.

Hossein's last known address was in Newport Beach, Tieu's was in Fountain Valley and Bac's was in Santa Ana.

"Each of the three should be viewed as very dangerous. We don't have any specific information that they are armed, but I think the public should expect the worst if they're encountering them," said Hallock.

A $20,000 reward was being offered by the FBI for information leading to the arrest of any and all escapees.

Anyone with more information was urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department hotline at 716-628-7085. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.