Escaped Inmate Found Hiding in Hot Tub

An inmate who escaped into a Southern California neighborhood was found hiding in a hot tub and taken into custody, officials said.

The inmate, identified as Arturo Valenzuela, was working in a rear parking lot at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lomita Station when he jumped a fence and took off, Deputy Mike Barraza said. He was reported missing about 2:40 p.m.

Deputies, backed by units from the Sheriff’s Carson Station, a helicopter and K-9, set up a perimeter in search of Valenzuela, who was wearing a yellow jumpsuit.

Officials confirmed that he was found about 5 p.m. hiding out in a covered hot tub in a nearby backyard in the 25900 block of Cypress Street. The hot tub had a little bit of water in the bottom, deputies said.

Valenzuela was taken to the hospital to be treated for an ankle injury that he suffered during the incident, officials said.

He was booked for escape and being held on $100,000 bail. He had originally been jailed for burglary.

Valenzuela was working at the station under minimum security as part of a program that employs inmates who meet certain criteria, deputies said.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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