Kern County Sheriffs deputies say an inmate who escaped custody had help from his girlfriend.

Francisco Garcia, 23, allegedly ran away from deputies during a visit to Kern Medical Saturday night.

Police say Elektra Espinoza, 20, drove Garcia around town and let him use her phone while he was on the run.

The pair were arrested Monday at Espinoza’s parents’ house in Lamont.

Garcia is now charged with escape and is also set for sentencing next week following a shooting in east Bakersfield that left two people hurt in 2021.

Espinoza faces charges as an accessory but is out on bail.