VENTURA : Escaped Prisoner Was Misidentified

Authorities were searching Thursday for a prisoner who walked away from the Ventura County Jail.

Patrick Pierce Healey, 31, of Simi Valley was emptying trash behind the jail Wednesday night under the supervision of a sheriff’s deputy when he walked off, Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Young said.

“The deputy was distracted for a minute and Healey took off,” Young said.

Healey, a minimum-security prisoner, was originally arrested in San Luis Obispo County, where he claimed to be his brother--Liam Brendon Healey, 30, of Northridge.

It wasn’t until late afternoon Thursday that sheriff’s deputies found out that the inmate had lied about his identity.

According to authorities, Patrick Healey claimed to be his brother because Patrick Healey was wanted for more serious charges.

Liam Healey was wanted for allegedly driving while under the influence and failing to appear in court on other traffic charges, authorities said. Patrick Healey was wanted for allegedly receiving stolen property, possessing and selling a controlled substance and carrying a concealed firearm, authorities said.

Liam Healey’s charges carried a penalty of 90 days in jail, while Patrick Healey faced more serious penalties, including a $50,000 bail, deputies said.

Police in Ventura and Los Angeles counties have been alerted to the escape. Healey is not considered dangerous.