Man Breaks Into Jail To Escape Pursuing ICE Officers

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 25-year-old man scaled a fence, breaking into the Santa Barbara County jail secured perimeter to escape Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Friday morning, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

The man was injured in the process and taken to a hospital for treatment and cited, police said.

Sheriff’s deputies responded about 8:34 a.m. after a vehicle was reported blocking the entrance to the sheriff’s department headquarters. The driver identified himself as being with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and told a deputy that agents had attempted to apprehend a suspect who fled on foot and climbed a fence along the east side of the jail perimeter.

A deputy searched the area and found Jhonathan Cosme Antonio, 25, of Carpinteria, hiding between storage containers inside the secured, fenced exterior of the Main Jail, authorities said.

Cosme Antonio appeared to have been injured while jumping the fence, and fire and medical personnel were called to the scene. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later issued a citation for trespassing, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

About an hour later, deputies were asked to assist with keeping the peace while ICE arranged for a disabled vehicle to be towed. Deputies provided traffic control to help a tow truck access the vehicle and clear the roadway. The vehicle was removed without further incident, officials said.