By Katy Sweeny
Chico Enterprise-Record
WILLOWS, Calif. — Two shanks made out of toothbrushes, pointed enough to kill, were found in a cell Monday night by Glenn County Jail correctional officers.
Jail commander Sgt. James Miranda is still investigating the incident and has yet to arrest cellmates Angel Urrutia Jr., 22, or Richard Pulido, 25, for felony making or possessing a weapon in jail, he said.
When Urrutia and Pulido went to the library about 11 p.m. Monday, correctional officers did a routine search of the cell and found one in a drawer and another hidden, Miranda said.
Though the ivory-colored shanks are not very sharp, they are pointed enough “to stick into someone’s neck” and kill them, Miranda said.
“If I swung it at you, it would definitely break your skin,” Miranda said.
Urrutia is in jail awaiting sentencing for first-degree burglary, Miranda said.
Pulido is waiting for a trial on charges of criminal threats, burglary, willful cruelty to a child, domestic violence and obstructing a police officer, Miranda said. He has also been to prison and is on a parole hold.
Miranda said he could not release information on whether the inmates had a dispute with anyone in the jail or if they are associated with gangs.
He thinks inmates can still fashion a weapon if they were given shorter-handled toothbrushes, he said.
“We can’t withhold toothbrushes from them,” he said.
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