The Latest: Prisoner taken into custody after van escape

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Latest on the escape of a prisoner who escaped from a transport van in New Mexico and was apprehended in El Paso, Texas (all times local):

11:35 a.m.

Police say a prisoner who escaped from a transport van in Las Cruces was located in El Paso, Texas, and taken back into custody.

A Las Cruces police spokesman says 40-year-old Ralph Miera took a gun early Wednesday from a transport officer who then was locked in the van’s cage area while a second officer was forced to drive the van. Police say they believe Miera then stole a pickup from a Las Cruces residence to drive about 45 miles south to El Paso.

Before his escape, authorities say he was being transported by a private company from Riverside, California, to Pueblo, Colorado, on a warrant for auto theft, burglary and contempt of court.

New Mexico State Police have been tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to his escape.

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10 a.m.

Authorities in southern New Mexico are looking for a prisoner who escaped from a transport van while being taken from Riverside, California, to Colorado’s Pueblo County.

Las Cruces police say Ralph Miera of Riverside, California, took a gun from a transport officer who then was locked in the van’s cage area while a second officer was forced to drive the van before Miera got out.

Police say Miera was being transported on a warrant alleging auto theft, burglary and contempt of court.

He’s described as 5-foot-10 (178 centimetres), 130 pounds (59 kilograms) with brown hair, brown eyes and tattoos on both arms and the right side of his face. He was last seen wearing a black and white jacket, red shirt, black and green plaid pants and black Nike shoes.