(Shalom Mendoza: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
A statewide manhunt is underway for an inmate who escaped from San Quentin State Prison Wednesday night.
California authorities say Shalom Mendoza, 21, was first reported missing around 9:35 p.m. during an inmate headcount. Prison officials conducted a search of the grounds following the headcount but still did not find Mendoza.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Mendoza is serving a five-year sentence for use of a deadly weapon during a “carjacking/attempted carjacking” and “evading or attempting to evade a peace officer while driving recklessly.”
Mendoza was convicted in Los Angeles County and booked into state prison on Dec. 20, 2017. He is 5-foot-5 and weighs 177 pounds with short brown hair and brown eyes, officials said.
Authorities said he might have carjacked the driver of a Toyota Rav4 who was near the prison grounds. The vehicle’s license plate number is 6STZ502.