Police: Mom takes man who fled from squad car back to police

ALTON - A 20-year-old man did his best to flee authorities Tuesday.

But all Jeremy Joseph Cerda ended up with were some scrapes, a broken ankle and a ride back to the police station from his mother, said Alton police Chief Baldemar Flores.

An Alton police officer arrested Cerda on Monday afternoon after a background check during a traffic stop revealed he had outstanding arrest warrants for a parole violation and evading arrest, Flores said.

Officers kept him at an Alton police holding cell before it was time to take him to the Hidalgo County Jail on Tuesday. During the trip to the jail, Cerda managed to slide his cuffed wrists down behind him and under his feet until his arms were in front of his body, according to officers.

He also kicked out one of the windows on the squad car and managed to escape as the vehicle was coming to a stop, Flores said.

Cerda apparently broke one of his ankles during the escape and sustained some "road rash" scrapes before running away, the chief said.

Alton police officers and Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies tried to locate Cerda late Tuesday evening but without success, prompting authorities to request the public's help in finding him, Flores said.

Cerda turned himself in to police just after 10 a.m. Wednesday after his mother gave him a ride to the Alton police station, the chief said.

"She had him by one ear, I guess," Flores said with a chuckle.

Cerda remained under supervision Wednesday at Mission Regional Medical Center as he received treatment for his broken ankle, the chief said.

In addition to his previous warrants, Cerda now faces criminal mischief charges and another count of evading arrest.

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