SIX INMATES ESCAPE FROM JAIL IN MERCED

Authorities in Central California were searching Sunday for six inmates who used a “homemade rope” to escape from a county jail, sheriff’ s officials said.

All six escapees should be considered armed and dangerous, the Merced County Sheriff ’s Off ice said in a news release.

Staff members at Merced County Downtown Jail noticed late Saturday that the six inmates were missing, the release said.

“A preliminary investigation has determined that the inmates were able to gain access to the roof of the facility and utilize a homemade rope to scale down the side of the jail,” the sheriff ’s off ice said.

Anyone who spots the fugitives is asked not to approach them and immediately call 911.

All but one of the suspects are charged with violent felonies, including murder.

They were identified as Jorge Barron, 20, of Atwater; Gabriel Francis Corona do ,19, of At water; Manuel Allen Leon ,21, of Vallejo; Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr .,21, of Plan ada; Fabian Cruz Roman, 22, of Los Banos; and Edgar Eduardo Ventura ,22, of Portland, Ore.

Roman is facing a murder charge. Coronado and Rodriguez Jr. face charges including attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang and being a felon in possession of a fire arm.

Ventura is charged with being a felon in possession of a fire arm, participation in a criminal street gang and violation of probation.

Leon is charged with assault with a fire arm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, reckless driving toe va dean officer, being a felon in possession of a fire arm and violation of probation.

Barron faces a probation violation charge.