Authorities asked the public Monday to keep an eye out for an inmate who escaped from a medium-security prison in Otay Mesa over the weekend.
Corrections officers discovered Demetrius B. Robertson was missing from Facility Eight, a lockup facility next to George Bailey Detention Facility on Alta Road, during a head count Sunday evening, sheriff's officials said.
Both prisons were placed on lockdown, and deputies searched in vain for the 24-year-old inmate by ground and air through the night with help from U.S. Border Patrol agents.
A checkpoint also was set up to search vehicles being driven out of the area, and the San Diego County Fugitive Task Force was mobilized to search areas Robertson has been known to frequent, including Chollas View, Chula Vista and College Grove.
Robertson, who also has gone by the last name Roberson, was arrested in May on a parole violation. He is a 5-foot-9-inch, roughly 195-pound black man with black hair and brown eyes. Prior to his escape, he was wearing a black sweatshirt and a baseball cap.
Officials asked anyone who spots Robertson to avoid approaching him and call 911. Information about his possible whereabouts also may be provided to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
