That was fast!
Two California men who were released from jails due to the coronavirus pandemic allegedly committed crimes shortly after their release, including one who police say carjacked a vehicle 40 minutes after leaving jail.
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Rocky Lee Music, 32, already a carjacking suspect, was released on Sunday from Santa Rita Jail, which is in the San Francisco Bay area, according to the Associated Press. He is accused of committing another carjacking Sunday night, a short distance from the jail in Dublin.
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Police said that he took the car—an eco-friendly Toyota Prius—and fled to San Ramon where he carjacked another victim. The report, citing police, said he tried to run but was nabbed with the help of a police dog.
CBS San Francisco reported that Music was released on a zero bail order available for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors. The order is expected to last 90 days after Gov. Gavin Newsom calls of the state’s stay-at-home order.
“He could steal a car every single day and be out every day. Everyone in law enforcement is very concerned about the bail schedule,” Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly told the station.
The report pointed to an order earlier this month from the California Judicial Council that said anyone brought to jail who did not commit a violent or serious crime should be cited and released. The effort was put in place to prevent major COVID-19 outbreaks behind bars.
Inmate activists say that the policy is essential in protecting those incarcerated and pointed out that the jail has seen 16 cases of the virus. Advocates say that instances, where an inmate is arrested a short time after their release, is few and far between.
Authorities in California also arrested Owen Aguilar, 27, who allegedly set nine fires in less than a week after his release from the Fresno County Jail, according to the wire service. He had been facing charges for alleged animal cruelty.
The local CBS report said Music was arraigned on Tuesday and is currently held on $100,000 bail and the Associated Press reported that Aguilar could face 46 years on felony arson charges.