2nd inmate apprehended after escaping courthouse
The second of two inmates who escaped nearly three weeks ago from a courthouse in Palo Alto was arrested Sunday in San Leandro, authorities said.
John Bivins, 47, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service about 9:30 a.m. on the 16000 block of Foothill Boulevard, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’s Office.
Investigators determined that Bivins was staying at the Fairmont Inn in San Leandro, authorities said.
He was spotted walking out of the hotel when authorities approached him and demanded his surrender. Bivins resisted arrest and was forced into custody, authorities said.
Additional charges could be filed against Bivins in both state and federal courts, including escape, felon in possession of a firearm, and attempted murder of a federal agent and state peace officer.
Bivins will be transported back to Santa Clara County after receiving treatment at a hospital for unknown injuries.
Bivins was spotted in Stockton last week when his accomplice, Tramel McClough, was taken into custody. However, Bivins dodged police’s attempts to apprehend him.
McClough, 46, was arrested about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday when CHP officers tried to stop a car he was driving northbound on Interstate 5, south of Eight Mile Road in Stockton, authorities said.
McClough was in the car with Bivins, but jumped out of the driver’s seat of a 1999 Ford Explorer and ran into a Walmart near southbound Trinity Parkway off of Interstate 5, police said.
Bivins then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled. At least once CHP officer fired his gun during the incident.
“We are extremely pleased that John Bivins is in custody,” said Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith. “The capture of John Bivins and Tramel McClough (was) only possible by the unwavering determination of the U.S. marshals, Sheriff ’s Office detectives and numerous allied agencies.”
The two men escaped from Santa Clara County Superior Court in Palo Alto about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6, when they were scheduled to appear for a hearing.
A sheriff ’s deputy was escorting the men down a public hall near an elevator when they bolted out an emergency exit, authorities said.
The men fled in a UHaul that authorities believe accomplices left for them outside.
One of the inmates was handcuffed with waist chains and removed his leg shackles while running away from the courthouse, officials said. The other inmate broke free of his handcuffs before leaving the courthouse.
A day after their escape, Rene Hunt and Marquita Kirk were arrested and booked on charges of conspiracy and accessory after the fact for their alleged involvement.
Hunt, 54, of Palo Alto, helped arrange the UHaul that the inmates used in the getaway, police said. Kirk, 44, of Sunnyvale, was arrested after police learned that she rented the U-Haul.
Bivins and McClough were booked in February on suspicion of robbing a Verizon store in Sunnyvale.
They were armed with a handgun and knife when they forced store employees to open a safe before tying them up and locking them in the restroom, police said.
The robbers stole more than $64,000 worth of cell phones and other merchandise before police caught them, police said.
Bivins’ capture and arrest was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies that made up the Pacific Southwest Regional Task Force led by the U.S. Marshals Service.
“The relentless work of the task force and dedication to work nonstop towards locating and apprehending Mr. Bivins is a perfect example of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting our communities,” said U.S. Marshal Don O’Keefe. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani