SerpApi.Org
A Hays County Jail inmate remained at large Wednesday after authorities said he walked out of custody by using the identity of another detainee who was scheduled for release.
Xavier Isiah Gutierrez, 21, was mistakenly released from the Hays County Jail on July 19 after using the name of another inmate who shared his first name, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office disclosed the escape three days later but did not say when jail staff realized Gutierrez was no longer in custody or what information was used to authorize his release.
Gutierrez is 6 feet tall, weighs about 240 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes, authorities said. Officials did not identify the other detainee or say whether Gutierrez had help leaving the jail.
Gutierrez had been held on a felony theft case out of Brazoria County and a Pearland police warrant alleging he evaded arrest. Hays County authorities have since added a third-degree felony escape charge.
The Sheriff's Office said it is reviewing how Gutierrez was able to pass through the jail's release process and whether changes to its procedures are needed.
Anyone with information about Gutierrez's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Mike Bishop at [email protected] or Hays County dispatch at 512-393-7896. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-8477 or P3Tips.com.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.Read this story on statesman.com
