California prisoner who escaped in 2011 is caught in New York City, faces extradition

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today announced the apprehension of a person who walked away from the Delta Conservation Camp in Suisun City on Nov. 15, 2011. Eduardo Hernandez, was apprehended without incident in New York City at approximately 4:18 p.m. on May 20, 2024. Hernandez will be extradited to California to be returned to CDCR custody. Hernandez's case will be referred to the Solano County District Attorney for possible escape charges. Hernandez was sentenced on July 6, 2005, in Los Angeles County and received by CDCR on Aug. 4, 2005. Hernandez was sentenced to thirteen years for carjacking with an enhancement for use of a firearm. Since 1977, 99 percent of all people who have left an adult institution, camp, or community-based program without permission have been apprehended.
Eduardo Hernandez, who was serving a 13-year sentence for carjacking, vanished from a minimum-security prison camp in Solano County, Calif., more than a decade ago. An inmate who fled with him remains on the lam. (California Department of Corrections)

A man who escaped from a California prison camp in 2011 has been captured in New York City, officials announced Friday.

Authorities said Eduardo Hernandez, 42, was arrested without incident May 20 and will soon be extradited back to California, where he could face charges for his escape in Solano County.

Hernandez was six years into a 13-year sentence for carjacking when he stole away from the minimum-security Delta Camp in Suisun City in 2011. He fled with another inmate, Jose Padilla.

The men were last seen about 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 15. Despite both men wearing orange jeans and shirts labeled “C.D.C.R. prisoner,” they vanished. Their escape was heavily covered in the media.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation referred reporters to the New York Police Department for details on how Hernandez was apprehended. NYPD officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

California prison officials said that since 1977, 99% of “people who have left an adult institution, camp, or community based program without permission” have been caught.

Padilla is not among them. Officials said Saturday that he has “not yet been apprehended.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.