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Escaped inmate captured in California

A television station says an escaped California prisoner accused of using a stun gun on a deputy and shooting at a security guard has been captured.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A television station says an escaped California prisoner accused of using a stun gun on a deputy and shooting at a security guard has been captured.

KRON reports that Maurice Ainsworth, who was considered armed and dangerous, was taken into custody shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Santa Cruz Interim Police Chief Kevin Vogel told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that Ainsworth was arrested without incident after being holed up in an unoccupied house for hours.

The escape outside Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz prompted lockdowns at area schools. Police say Ainsworth fled while he was being transported to the hospital.

An injured deputy was listed in fair condition at Dominican, according to a statement by hospital spokesman Mike Lee, who didn't immediately detail the injuries to the deputy.

Shortly after the escape, a parent at the nearby Secret Garden Too preschool reported seeing a man with a gun. Cathy Latorre, who owns the preschool, later told the Santa Cruz Sentinel the 30 children in the preschool were fine.

Deputies described Ainsworth as 6 feet 7 inches tall and 275 pounds. He initially was wearing a yellow jumpsuit, but deputies believe he changed into a brown jacket and plaid pants.

The inmate had been in jail awaiting trial on charges that he committed a home invasion robbery on March 27, 2009, according to the Sentinel. He and co-defendant Jyler Raines are accused of breaking into a Los Gatos home with three people inside and stealing jewelry, wallets, bank information and a car.

Ainsworth was scheduled to go to trial Jan. 10 on four felony counts.

He also has a criminal history that includes theft and injuring a police officer, the Sentinel said.