By Sean Webby
San Jose Mercury News
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Nearly a week after he escaped from Juvenile Hall, Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies are still searching in the area for a 17-year-old suspected San Jose gang-banger.
But Gerardo Chavez’s mother and older brother were formally charged Tuesday with a primitive but effective plan to help him get away using a folded pamphlet and car waiting outside.
Juanita Bartolo De Chavez, 51, and Ernesto Daniel Chavez, 19, both of San Jose, were arraigned on charges of aiding and abetting the escape from a juvenile correctional facility misdemeanors, officials said.
Being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, the two are next due in court on Jan. 20 for pleas.
“It appears that they put a lot of thought and time into being able to execute the escape,’' said Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Nellie Davis.
Davis said that she believes that others may have helped plan the escape, but she did not elaborate.
Some further details came out from court documents released Tuesday on the rare escape from the 300-inmate secured facility off of Guadalupe Parkway.
At 8:15 p.m. New Year’s day, Juanita De Chavez was visiting her son for the first time in 10 days. She was the only visitor that night.
Five minutes before the visit was due to end, the inmate’s mother told a counselor that she wanted to leave early. The counselor told the inmate to come into an office and sit down. Chavez did.
The mother went through one electronically locked door and hesitated in the sallyport, documents said. The counselor noticed the door was not shut and told her to shut it. The counselor reported hearing a click and seeing a light indicating the door was closed, the report said.
The counselor then open a second door. The mother held it open. And Chavez bolted from the facility.
Outside his brother Ernesto was waiting in a idling Chevrolet sedan, law enforcement officials said. They sped away.
Mother and brother were arrested at their Jamaica Way residence later that evening, officials said.
Chavez, awaiting trial on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, is a Sureño gang member whom police consider dangerous, law enforcement officials said.
The fugitive is described as 5-foot-5 inches tall ,212 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and brown pants. Chavez has several tattoos, including the word “Chavez” on his neck in cursive.
Chavez was in custody in connection with a shooting on Sept. 4, according to court records. The complaint alleges it’s a gang-related offense.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Sgt. Davis Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (408) 808-4500 or 911. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Anonymous Tip Line at (408) 808-4431.
“He has already committed one aggravated assault,’' Davis said “It’s important for the public to call 911 and not confront him. Keep a distance.’'
Copyright 2009 San Jose Mercury News