Jail Inmate Walks Away From Rountree

A convicted thief serving time at the Rountree Minimum Security Jail in rural Watsonville escaped Thursday morning, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Patrick Collins walked away from the facility around 5:30 a.m., according to deputy Ryan Kennedy. 

Collins was arrested in July and was due to be released in October, according to Kennedy. 

Inmates at Rountree typically are serving short sentences for nonviolent crimes, such as theft and drug-related violations. The facility provides educational programs to inmates and gives them some liberty to move about the property. Walk aways are not uncommon.

Collins is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. "SKATE" is tattooed above his right eye and "DESTROY" is tattooed above his left eye.

Deputies ask that anyone with information about Collins' whereabouts call (831) 471-1121.