Prisoner escapes from county jail in southwestern New Mexico

DEMING, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a prisoner has escaped from a county jail in southwestern New Mexico. The New Mexico State Police identifies the inmate who escaped Monday evening from the Luna County Detention Center in Deming as Joshua Mirka. A State Police spokesman says Mirka was being held after being arrested July 27 on a warrant for alleged probation and parole violations for failing to register as a sex offender. Mirka was reportedly wearing orange pants, an orange shirt and black shoes when last seen. He was described as 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. The State Police says Mirka should be considered dangerous and the public should call 911 if they encounter him or know his location.