Inmate Holds Worker at Knifepoint
CASTAIC — An inmate at Pitchess Detention Center on Saturday morning briefly held a kitchen worker at knifepoint while demanding to be released from jail, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman said.
Guards quickly disarmed the man and freed the hostage unharmed, spokeswoman Carrie Stuart said.
At about 11:20 a.m., Elisandro Rojo, 36, a trusty working in the jail’s kitchen, grabbed a cook and held a knife to her throat, Stuart said. The knife had been assigned to another trusty, Stuart said.
After about 10 minutes deputies persuaded Rojo to release the woman and surrender.
Stuart said Rojo, who has been convicted of burglary, has been in County Jail since April 12.
Rojo was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for sentencing.
He could face additional charges of attempted murder, attempted escape and kidnapping, Stuart said.
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