Authorities chase new vehicle for suspect mistakenly let free

Sunday, June 19th 2005, 5:36 pm

By: News On 6

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) _ Wisconsin authorities say an inmate who walked away from sheriff's custody because of a paperwork mixup has switched cars and is believed to have fled the state.

34-year-old Cesar Lira was serving a 20-year prison term in Oklahoma when he was extradited to Milwaukee to face other charges.

Since no paperwork from Oklahoma accompanied his extradition to make sure he stayed in custody, authorities say Lira posted $15,000 bond and walked away.

Authorities believe Lira is traveling with 35 year-old Manuel Ayala in a white 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office has offered a one-thousand dollar reward for information leading to his arrest.

Lira was sentenced in Oklahoma after leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash and killed his girlfriend.