Jamestown, CA — Authorities have scaled back their search for an inmate who walked away from the Vallecito Conservation Camp last week.
Annette Penrod of the Sierra Conservation Center says an active pursuit has been called off because there have been no sightings of 20-year-old David Petelo and no response from the public.
Penrod says it is unclear whether Petelo is still in the area. Officials are continuing to advise residents to take precautions by locking doors and windows and reporting any suspicious activity to authorities.
Penrod says a formal prisoner pursuit will be re-activated should Petelo be seen or if any tips from the public are received.
Petelo was discovered missing from the camp Thursday night after a routine head count. A statewide bulletin has been issued since his disappearance.
He was sighted in Angels Camp early the next morning, but hasn´t been seen since.
Contact Eric Nelson at Eric Nelson
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 2:33 pm