Ione, CA…A minimum-security inmate who walked away from Mule Creek State Prison on February 7 was apprehended this evening in the Merced area. At around 10:05 p.m., inmate Zechariah Lee was taken into custody by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, the Merced Police Department, and CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit agents at a gas station. Lee initially attempted to flee, but was quickly arrested.

Lee was found missing at 9:24 p.m. on Thursday night after an inmate count at Mule Creek State Prison. He was received by CDCR in June 2017 out of Sacramento County with a three-year sentence for first-degree robbery. Lee will be transported to Valley State Prison, and his case will be referred to the Amador County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges.

OCS’s mission is to protect the public and serve CDCR investigative and security interests. OCS is the primary departmental link with allied law enforcement agencies and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Since 1977, 99 percent of all offenders who have left an adult institution, camp, or community-based program without permission have been apprehended.

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