By Vic Vela
The Albuquerque Journal
TAOS, N.M. — Two inmates escaped from the county jail here Sunday night after one of them gained access to the control center, enabling him to unlock the front door so the two could simply walk out. This occurred in the presence of an officer, who apparently did nothing about it, according to Taos County Undersheriff Edwardo Romero.
“He didn’t react or anything,” Romero said. “He just sat there and looked at him and didn’t do nothing.”
Joshua Lara, 25, was recaptured early Monday, but Lawrence Miera Jr., 40, is still at large, jail administrator William Cordova said. The jail is operated by the county but not by the local sheriff’s office.
Miera, of Taos, was being held on an aggravated burglary charge and was scheduled for a court appearance Monday, while Lara, also of Taos, was being held on charges of assault and battery and child abuse causing great bodily harm, according to Cordova.
The incident took place just before 10 p.m. Sunday during a lockdown procedure before lights-out, Romero said. Miera and Lara were able to get away from the other inmates and “managed to circle around to the front of the facility,” the undersheriff said.
As Lara walked undetected to the front exit, Miera somehow was able to walk into the control center, located about 50 feet from the front door. Romero said an officer was inside the control area at the time and saw that Miera was in a restricted area but did nothing about it.
“It’s amazing,” Romero said.
Another officer also was in the area, according to the undersheriff.
An internal investigation is under way at the jail to determine how this could have happened.
“We hope to wind it (the investigation) up by the end of the week,” Cordova said.
The aging county jail has seen several escapes over the past few years and will be replaced by a new facility, scheduled to open in March 2011. The new detention center will have “more updated technology,” Cordova said.
Lara was arrested in town early Monday, with the help of police K9 units. But Miera is still on the loose.
Romero described Miera as 5-foot-11 and about 180 pounds. He has several tattoos all over his body, including a “web” tattoo on the front of his neck. When asked whether he thinks Miera should be considered dangerous, Romero said, “He has the potential. “I mean, they’re not in jail for being good guys.”
Copyright 2010 Albuquerque Journal