Escaped Ben Lomond inmate found in Monterey

The manhunt for a 56-year-old minimum-security inmate who officials said walked away from a Ben Lomond conservation camp two days ago is finally over.

Monterey police confirmed they arrested John Collard Thursday night without incident at Sly Mcfly’s on Cannery Row.

Officers took Collard into custody. No word on if he was armed at the time.

Police said several calls came in from the public who recognized the wanted man from media reports.

Authorities said his escape may have been planned and considered him dangerous. They had asked anyone who spotted him to call 9-1-1.

Collard was sentenced to the correctional center for about five years for criminal threat, using violence against an officer and possession of a firearm.

Officials with the California Department of Corrections said he walked away from the camp in the San Lorenzo Valley this week, where he was part of an inmate fire crew.

He was scheduled to be released from the state prison system in January 2018.