Crime & Safety

High Risk Sex Offender Escapes Mental Health Facility

The man is believed to have escaped through an elevator shaft from the Redwood City facility with an unknown destination in San Mateo County.

Sheriff’s deputies are on the lookout for a high risk sex offender who escaped this morning from Cordilleras Mental Health Facility in Redwood City. His destination is unknown.

Derrick Sanders, 34, is a parolee with a history of violence, weapons and sex offenses and is considered a “High Risk” offender with mental health issues.  Sanders currently has a misdemeanor case pending in San Mateo County for a sex offense against a minor.

Sanders was discovered missing by staff at Cordilleras Center during rounds which were conducted during the early morning hours today.  He is believed to have possibly escaped the facility through an elevator shaft.   

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Sanders, a transient who frequents the San Mateo County and Alameda County areas, is described as 5’11, 165 pounds and was last seen wearing a red polo shirt and blue jeans.  Sanders is also wanted on a parole violation warrant issued by the California Department of Corrections.

Any person who may have information about the current whereabouts of Sanders is encouraged not to make contact with him but to call 9-1-1. Please contact the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Detective Marcus Gathright at 650-363-7823 with non-emergency leads about Sanders’ location. You may also contact the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Witness Line at 800-547-2700.

Find out what's happening in Redwood City-Woodsidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 



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