'Dangerous' Murderer Jumped Out of Prison Van on Way to Court, Now He's on the Run

Mar. 15, 2025

Cesar Hernandez.Photo:California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

California officials are searching for a convicted murderer who escaped from custody this week while being transported to a court date.Cesar Hernandez, 34, was being transported into the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano Monday morning when he jumped out of a prison transport van and fled the scene, evading attempts to re-apprehend him, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said ina press release.The prisoner’s whereabouts remained unknown as of Tuesday afternoon.Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019 in Los Angeles, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison with the possibility of parole.On Instagram, the Delano Police Department said Hernandez is “considered dangerous,” and civilians should not approach him if they suspect they’ve spotted him.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Hernandez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 161 lbs, the CDCR stated. He has brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermals.Those who suspect they’ve seen Hernandez are urged to call 911, or the Delano Police Department at 661-721-3377.Court records show Hernandez was due for a status conference in Delano — a city of approximately 50,000 residents about 30 miles north of Bakersfield — on charges he had manufactured weapons while imprisoned in Kern County.Hernandez pled no contest to the felony and was due to be sentenced in January — a potential third “strike” on his record making him eligible for an automatic life sentence.

California officials are searching for a convicted murderer who escaped from custody this week while being transported to a court date.

Cesar Hernandez, 34, was being transported into the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano Monday morning when he jumped out of a prison transport van and fled the scene, evading attempts to re-apprehend him, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said ina press release.

The prisoner’s whereabouts remained unknown as of Tuesday afternoon.

Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019 in Los Angeles, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison with the possibility of parole.On Instagram, the Delano Police Department said Hernandez is “considered dangerous,” and civilians should not approach him if they suspect they’ve spotted him.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Hernandez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 161 lbs, the CDCR stated. He has brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermals.

Those who suspect they’ve seen Hernandez are urged to call 911, or the Delano Police Department at 661-721-3377.

Court records show Hernandez was due for a status conference in Delano — a city of approximately 50,000 residents about 30 miles north of Bakersfield — on charges he had manufactured weapons while imprisoned in Kern County.

Hernandez pled no contest to the felony and was due to be sentenced in January — a potential third “strike” on his record making him eligible for an automatic life sentence.

source: people.com