By Christopher Glotfelty and Carol Rock
Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station foiled a jail escape attempt at their station Monday.
Ryan Martinez, 20, of Palmdale, was arrested at the Best Western Valencia Inn today at 2:45 on suspicion of a Sept. 3 residential burglary in Saugus.
After booking, he was placed in a locked jail interview room at the station to await the arrival of one of the victims in the case for suspect identification purposes.
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When the victim was brought to the interview room, it was discovered that Martinez was missing. A white chalky powder on the floor indicated that Martinez had removed ceiling tiles which he then replaced after he entered the ceiling crawl space.
Patrol deputies surrounded the building as the interior of the station was searched. Martinez was seen running inside the building where he was captured by deputies.
In addition to his felony burglary charges, Martinez now faces felony charges of attempted escape. He was transported to the Inmate Reception Center in downtown Los Angeles and is being held in lieu of $130,000 bail pending future court proceedings.