The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance from the public after a felon made an audacious escape from custody in Lemon Grove. Hiram Sanchez was last seen running from law enforcement officials and remains at large despite an extensive search that's currently ongoing. According to a social media post by the sheriff's office, deputies had Sanchez under control after identifying him regarding an outstanding felony warrant last Thursday, around 4:00 p.m., on the 7100 block of Broadway.
The Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation wants the public's help in locating a wanted felon who escaped from custody.
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) December 25, 2025
On December 18, just after 4:00 p.m., @SDSheriff Deputies observed Hiram Sanchez (DOB: 07/14/1989) in the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove. He was wanted on an… pic.twitter.com/FXGXX89Tuf
However, in a concerning turn of events, after being handcuffed, Sanchez managed to escape and ran into State Route 94 (SR-94), putting both himself and the pursuing deputies into a dangerous position. Strikingly, the sheriff's deputies chose safety over immediate recapture by not pursuing him onto the freeway. Following his reckless dash, at some unspecified point, Sanchez slipped out of his handcuffs and eluded the deputies.
The search for Sanchez involved coordination between various law enforcement entities, including the California Highway Patrol (CHP), San Diego Police Department's helicopter (ABLE), and the Sheriff's K-9 resources. Despite these efforts, as reported by the sheriff's office, Sanchez has not been found and the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force is now leading the search efforts. The authorities believe that Sanchez might be hiding somewhere in East County, potentially around El Cajon or La Mesa areas.
An alert has been issued describing Sanchez as a Hispanic man about 5'9" tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, and last seen wearing a white hat, with a black shirt, black athletic pants, and white shoes. While Sanchez is not considered a danger to the public, residents are advised not to approach him if they see him. Avoiding direct engagement, they are instead urged to call 9-1-1 or make an anonymous tip to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
