Murder suspect, 17, escapes

SAN MATEO —  A 17-year-old murder suspect escaped from the San Mateo County juvenile detention center by scaling a wall and wriggling through a hole cut in a chain-link fence, authorities said Friday.

Police issued a statewide alert Thursday night for Josue Raul Orozco, who was arrested three years ago in connection with a drive-by killing in Redwood City.

Authorities say Orozco is a SureIno gang member and should be considered dangerous.

He was charged in adult court but has been held at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall since his arrest.

Officials said Orozco escaped between 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Thursday by apparently scaling a 10-foot cement wall. They believe an accomplice cut the 3-foot-long slit in the fence through which Orozco escaped.

Loren Buddress, chief probation officer for San Mateo County, said the escape went unnoticed by the two probation officers who monitor the facility’s more than 120 security cameras.

Surveillance cameras showed a suspicious car near the facility around the time of the escape.

“We want to analyze what happened, what didn’t happen, what we can do in the future to maximize chances that it won’t happen again,” he said. “It will include a discussion with the sheriff’s office about any security enhancements we can put in place.”