The State - News from March 7, 1986

Tuolumne County officials said three inmates took advantage of a jail expansion project to break out of the lockup at Sonora. Sheriff’s Lt. James Bland said the trio used hacksaw blades stolen from contractors to saw through a steel-reinforced barrier in window of their cell block, lowered themselves to the ground outside using twisted bed sheets and escaped through the incomplete section of the jail. The escapees were identified as James R. Stallings, 32, of Sonora, held on suspicion of burglary and drug violations; Michael Ray Fowler, 31, of Sonora, held on suspicion of burglary and parole violation, and Larry Edward Lillard, 41, of Roseville, held on suspicion of auto theft and parole violation.