ALAMOSA — An inmate held at the Costilla County Jail on multiple charges escaped Saturday, Aug. 27, after being arrested Thursday, Aug. 25, for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from an area south of Fort Garland. 

According to Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez, at 4:08 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Johnathan Medina “buzzed” the jail’s detention officer and reportedly said he needed to make a “legal call” in reference to making bond.  

The detention officer led Medina from his jail cell to the area where he could place a phone call. 

Medina then asked the officer if he could get a glass of water. According to Sanchez, the detention officer stepped into the next room when he heard a “crashing sound.” When the officer returned to where Medina was located, he saw Medina going through the window. 

“He’d pushed out the screen and the window where he got out has bars,” Sanchez said. “I’m told he’s very, very skinny.” 

Medina was being held on outstanding warrants, mainly for failure to comply in Costilla County and failure to appear in Alamosa, as well as new charges of suspicion of second-degree criminal trespassing, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and theft of $750 to $2,000 related to his recent arrest. 

Sanchez said documents were submitted to the judge to also charge Medina with suspicion of escaping from jail, a class-4 felony, and criminal mischief, a class-3 misdemeanor. 

Law enforcement officials believe he is no longer in the area and may have traveled to northern New Mexico where he has ties in the area.  

According to law enforcement, Medina is not considered to pose a significant threat to the public. Anyone who sees him is advised not to approach or attempt to make contact but, instead, to call the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office at 719-589-5807.