Search Continues In San Clemente For Burglary Suspect Who Escaped Custody

SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — The search continued Tuesday for a burglary suspect who slipped out of handcuffs while in the custody of two park rangers in San Clemente.

The suspect, who investigators believe is a transient named Jeff Webster, had his hands bound behind his back but managed to get free and escape a park ranger vehicle at San Clemente State Beach just after 7 a.m. Monday, according to state parks Superintendent Rich Haydon.

Webster remains at large Tuesday morning, Orange County sheriff's Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

According to Haydon, Webster was first approached by a ranger at Avenida Califia about illegal camping, but investigators suspect he was involved in the burglary of a concession stand in the area.

Webster is described as a white man, about 5 feet 11 inches tall, about 150 pounds, with a buzz haircut, brown hair and a "soul patch."

As a precaution during the initial search, Concordia Elementary School, at 3120 Avenida Del Presidente, was placed under a "shelter in place" order for about an hour Monday morning.

Late Monday morning, the active search was called off, but it was reactivated in the afternoon when there was another sighting, Hallock said.

Anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts can call the sheriff's department at (714) 647-7000.

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