TUESDAY, Aug. 23 update: Canchola has turned himself in. He's charged with Escape and Giving False Information to Law Enforcement as well as Violation of Probation.

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Authorities in Manatee County are looking for a man who escaped from a patrol car after he was taken into custody.

  • Joel Canchola, 34, sought by sheriff's deputies
  • Authorities say he escaped from patrol car

Deputies responded to a crash Saturday at 5600 5th Street Court East. Both people inside the vehicle had fled the scene, investigators said.

Joel Canchola, the passenger in the vehicle, was wanted for a violation of probation, along with a drug charge, according to the sheriff's office.

He was found, handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. Minutes later, deputies went to check on Canchola and found he had escaped.

Anyone with information about him is asked to call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

Canchola is a Hispanic male, 34 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He was wearing a brown tank top, white shorts and no shoes.