Six Men Escape From California Jail Using A Braided Bedsheet Rope

MERCED, CA — A search was still underway Tuesday for the six men who escaped from the Merced County Downtown Jail Saturday night. Police have warned the public that the six inmates should be considered armed and dangerous.

The sextet of inmates collaborated Saturday night to braid their bedsheets together and scale down the side of the jail from the roof, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

A preliminary investigation determined that the inmates were somehow able to gain access to the roof, officials said.

The men were discovered missing from their cell just before midnight. But it is unclear the exact time the inmates made a break for it.

The Merced County Sheriff's office has conjoined with several state and federal law enforcement agencies to track down the fugitives. The United States Marshals Service and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Services Unit have stepped in to try and "track down and apprehend the six subjects."

The fugitives are Jorge Barron, 20; Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19; Manuel Allen Leon, 21; Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21; Fabian Cruz Roman, 22; and Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22.

Roman was charged with murder while two others, Coronado and Rodriguez have both been charged with attempted murder. Anyone who comes across these men was advised to call 9-1-1 and warned not to approach them.

A Tip Line was set up by the U.S. marshalls Service and a reward of up to $5,000 per escapee is being offered for any information that could help investigators find the inmates.

Those who have any information on the fugitives can call the tip line at 1-877-926-8332. Tips can also be given online here.

"All information given can remain anonymous and could help bring these criminals to justice," officials said.

The escapees are described by the Merced County Sherriff's Office below:

BARRON, JORGE; 20 years old, Hispanic male adult, 5 foot 5, 140 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, from Atwater, Ca – Current Charges - a violation of probation.

CORONADO, GABRIEL FRANCIS; 19 years old, Hispanic male adult, 5 foot 10, 225 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, from Atwater, Ca – Current Charges - attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of probation.

LEON, MANUEL ALLEN; 21 years old, Hispanic male adult, 5 foot 10, 165 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, from Vallejo, California – Current Charges - assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evade peace officer – reckless driving, participation in a criminal street gang, carrying a loaded firearm.

RODRIGUEZ JR, ANDRES NUNEZ; 21 years old, Hispanic male adult, 5 foot 7, 145 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, from Planada, Ca – Current Charges - Attempted Murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm.

ROMAN, FABIAN CRUZ– 22 years old, Hispanic male adult, 5 foot 6, 145 pounds, Black Hair, Brown Eyes, from Los Banos, Ca – Current Charges – murder

VENTURA, EDGAR EDUARDO – 22 years old, Hispanic Male Adult, 5 foot 11, 129 pounds, black hair, brown eyes from Portland, Oregon– Current Charges – felon in possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, violation of probation.