Sonoma County Jail Escapee Back In Custody

PETALUMA, CA — A Sonoma County jail inmate who escaped from custody Tuesday morning was arrested and was being taken back to the jail Thursday morning, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

The escapee, John Avilla, 39, of Petaluma, was located by detectives at 10:29 a.m. Thursday in the 100 block of Magnolia Avenue in Petaluma, the sheriff's office said on social media.

Avilla eluded capture since 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning when he ran from the loading dock of the Sonoma County Jail at 2777 Ventura Ave. in Santa Rosa, the sheriff's office said.

Forty-eight hours later, Avilla was taken into custody in Petaluma and was driven back to the Sonoma County Jail.

Avilla was initially booked into Sonoma County jail on Nov. 14 for a possession of a stolen vehicle charge.