The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is on the lookout for Ashiel Bahar, 37, a minimum-security incarcerated person who left Owens Valley Conservation Camp without authorization on August 6, 2024. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Bahar's absence was discovered during a routine check at 3 a.m., and a prompt search of the camp buildings and grounds was initiated by staff immediately thereafter.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 247 pounds, Bahar has brown eyes and black hair. Donning what is suspected to be either gray sweatpants and a gray t-shirt or orange pants and an orange long-sleeve shirt, describing his appearance could assist in his identification. Bahar was sentenced on Nov. 1, 2023, from San Diego County, to serve a four-year term for several offenses, including first-degree burglary and grand theft.

CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety, CAL FIRE, and local law enforcement agencies collaborated in the search. Bahar was labeled a "second striker," indicating previous convictions. CDCR has historically boasted a 99 percent success rate in recapturing individuals who leave facilities without permission since 1977, a statistic the agency highlights.

The authorities urge the public to exercise caution and report any sightings of Bahar. Owens Valley Conservation Camp Commander William Mathews can be contacted at (760) 387-2686 by reaching out to any law enforcement agency or by dialing 911. Any knowledge pertaining to Bahar's whereabouts should be shared responsibly with law enforcement officials to aid in the ongoing search.