Convicted murderer jumps out of prison van en route to court, sparking massive Calif. manhunt

A convicted murderer is on the run in California after he jumped out of a prison van and fled as he was being taken to a court hearing — sparking a massive manhunt, authorities said.

Cesar Hernandez, 34, managed to escape custody just moments after arriving at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano in Central California at about 11 a.m. on Monday.

The “dangerous” felon was still at large as of late Tuesday, according to California Department of Corrections officials.

“The public should not confront this individual as he is considered dangerous,” authorities warned.

Hernandez, who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 161 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair, according to authorities.

He was last seen wearing his orange prison garb.

Prior to his escape, Hernandez had been locked up since 2019 after being sentenced to 25 years to life for first-degree murder.

Members of the California Highway Patrol, Delano and McFarland police departments were aiding in the search.