Inmate who ran away from Nevada County halfway house is back in custody

NEVADA COUNTY – An inmate at the Washington Ridge Conservation Camp in Nevada County who wandered away Friday night has been found and re-taken into custody, the sheriff’s office reported Saturday.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation discovered Arnel Arienda, 45, missing during a head count Friday evening around 6:30 p.m.

Authorities searched the building and grounds and alerted local police to locate Arienda.

Arienda was found more than 24 hours later when authorities received reports that he was seen near Madrone Springs and Conservation Road in Nevada City shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, troopers said.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2022 for carjacking with a gun permit, officials said.