2 Inmates Escape California Courthouse

STOCKTON, Calif. --

Two inmates escaped from the San Joaquin County Courthouse on Tuesday, and one of them tried to steal a car, a police watch commander said.

Police said the two inmates from Deuel Vocational Institution managed to escape when a third inmate displayed symptoms of a seizure. While authorities were tending to him, the other two inmates slipped out of their waist chains and escaped.

The inmates were identified as Richard Potts, 28, and Tony Jones, 21.

Police said Potts tried to steal a car, which was being driven by woman, and tried to hang onto it. A couple of motorcyclists saw what was happening and unsuccessfully tried to ram him.

The stolen car crashed into another vehicle in the area of East Washington Street and South Sutter Street, police said.

With the help of another citizen, the motorcyclists pulled Potts off the woman's car and wrestled him to the ground until law enforcement arrived.

Jones escaped in a late model black Mercedes-Benz CL600 with a temporary license plate with the name "Eaton," police said. He is described as a black man, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and a medium build.

Anyone who may have seen Jones should call 209-835-3856 or 911.