Authorities are conducting massive manhunt after a domestic violence suspect escaped from the San Benito City Jail early Wednesday morning.
Lt. Martin Morales with San Benito Police Department said it started as a routine book in but the arrest took a turn for the worst.
They arrested 26-year-old Benjamin Leal around 7a.m. for allegedly beating up his girlfriend.
Leal was on his way to the police station when a malfunction changed everything.
“Normal procedure would be to enter the sally port area and both the north and south gates would be closed before unloading the prisoner," Lt. Morales said.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, the gate failed to close completely leaving a big gap.
Lt. Morales told Action 4 News that the gate was not malfunctioning prior to the incident.
Police explained the suspect wasted no time in taking advantage of the opportunity.
Leal allegedly ran towards the fence, gained momentum and jumped over it.
He landed on the other side and headed south, that’s when police said he disappeared from sight.
Lt. Martin Morales said authorities launched a massive man-hunt seconds later.
Officers state Leal lost one sneaker during the escape and was last seen wearing just black shorts.
He's described to be about 5’6 and weighs around 140 pounds.
Police also state Leal is no stranger to police and has been arrested several times before for aggravated assault.
On top of that, he was previously charged with escaping from another law enforcement agency.
San Benito police told Action 4 News that Leal is considered armed and dangerous and ask the public to be please be cautious is they come in contact with him.
Anyone with information on Leal’s whereabouts is asked to call the San Benito Police Department at (956) 361-3880.
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