Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau investigators advise that an escaped inmate, suspect David Bustamante, was apprehended and taken into custody without incident on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

The suspect was discovered missing at approximately 7:00 a.m. during an inmate count at South Facility, one of the four facilities located on Pitchess Detention Center.

The Ptchess Detention Center was immediately placed on lockdown thereby restricting all movement within the facility. An exhaustive search, utilizing numerous department resources was launched. Due to the fact the investigation is in its early stages, it is unclear how he was able to escape the facility.

Major Crimes Bureau detectives utilized scent detection canines and found the suspect near the 5 freeway and 126 freeway, beneath an underpass near a homeless encampment. When the suspect was located, he was wearing civilian clothing. How and where he obtained the clothing will be part of our continued investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau at (562) 946-7893. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Initial press release:
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Major Crimes Bureau investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating custody escape suspect David Luis Bustamonte. The suspect was not present during inmate count at Pitchess Detention Center South Facility on Sunday morning..

The facility was placed on immediate lockdown to locate Bustamonte within the vast compound.

We are utilizing many resources, including scent dogs, to search the facility and locate the suspect as quickly as possible.

David Luis Bustamonte is described as a male Hispanic 43 years-old, 5’6” tall, approximately 155lbs, short black hair, brown eyes and unknown clothing description.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact LASD Major Crimes Bureau at (562) 946-7893 or dial 9-1-1.

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.