Jail escapee tries to flee courthouse

The Record — An inmate who was suspected of trying to rob a bank after escaping from the San Joaquin County Jail’s Honor Farm tried to make a run for it again Thursday morning when he appeared in a Stockton courtroom, authorities said.

Pedro Arquiaga, 20, jumped over a barrier and tried to run through a side door in Dept. 25 at the San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse, said Deputy Les Garcia, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy positioned near the back door intercepted Arquiaga and physically subdued him without further incident, Garcia said.

Arquiaga sustained minor injuries, Garcia said, but the deputy was not hurt.

Arquiaga was in court to face charges of burglary, auto theft, escape and resisting a peace officer, Garcia said. He now faces an additional escape charge, Garcia said.

Arquiaga escaped from the Honor Farm on Dec. 27, authorities said. He was being held there after police arrested him on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, auto theft, hit-and-run and resisting arrest, officials said.

He was apprehended Jan. 3 after the Stockton Police Department said he entered a Chase Bank in the 7800 block of Tam O Shanter Drive, indicated he had a gun, made a threat and demanded money. A bank employee called police, who were waiting outside the bank. Investigators said that he had arrived at the bank in a stolen vehicle.