5 Injured as Melee Erupts at Counmty Jail in Lancaster

An argument over stealing erupted into a near-riot at Mira Loma County Jail in Lancaster, involving 50 inmates who broke windows, overturned bunks and armed themselves with broom handles, authorities said.

The melee erupted Thursday night in the barracks when one inmate accused another of stealing some of his belongings, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Cox said. The fight spilled into the men’s exercise compound, he said.

Cox said deputies are still investigating the incident and do not know what the man was accused of stealing. He said the incident was not racially motivated.

It took deputies about 10 minutes to quell the disturbance, Cox said. Five men suffered minor injuries in the fight and were taken to the jail ward at County-USC Medical Center, where they were treated before being taken to the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, Cox said. About 44 other inmates were also taken to the Men’s Central Jail, Cox said.

No charges have ben filed against the inmates pending the outcome of the investigation, Cox said.

Mira Loma is a minimum-to medium-security jail that houses about 1,000 men and women, Cox said.