After 13 years at large, armed carjacker Eduardo Hernandez, who escaped from a California conservation camp in 2011, was finally recaptured in New York City, where orange jumpsuits are apparently still not the new black.

Hernandez, who originally disappeared from the Delta Conservation Camp wearing the obligatory orange prison attire, was apprehended in NYC on May 20, 2024. At 42, he's set to be extradited back to California to potentially face additional charges for his daring escape. His sneak-out buddy, Jose Padilla, however, remains at large—probably still out there debating whether stripes or solids are better for a life on the run.

Hernandez's escapade began on a seemingly ordinary morning in November 2011. At the crack of dawn on November 15th, he and Padilla vanished from the Delta Conservation Camp, a facility known more for its firefighting efforts than spontaneous inmate disappearances. Clad in orange jeans and shirts emblazoned with 'C.D.C.R. prisoner,' the duo made their break, blending in about as well as a pumpkin in a basket of apples.

The Delta Conservation Camp, situated in Suisun City, is no run-of-the-mill prison. Its primary mission is to provide incarcerated fire crews for battling blazes in Sonoma, Lake, Napa Unit, and Solano County areas. Besides firefighting, inmates also lend a hand in conservation projects, making their escape possibly an attempt to avoid more bush than burning duties.

Before his great escape, Hernandez had served six years of his 13-year sentence for carjacking with an added enhancement for using a firearm. One might guess he was tired of swapping one iron bar for another. His conviction ensured he'd be well into his forties before even considering a free life, a timeline he clearly had personal disagreements with.

Hernandez’s disappearing act was straightforward—he was last seen early in the morning along with Padilla. Since then, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has been on the lookout. The department proudly boasts a 99 percent recapture rate for those who fled an adult institution, camp, or community-based program since 1977. Hernandez now finds himself part of this rather unhappy statistic.

Meanwhile, back in New York City, authorities had unknowingly hosted Hernandez for several years. The details of how he's managed to evade capture for over a decade remain a topic of curiosity. Schwarzenegger would be proud; or perhaps, they'd want to hire Hernandez for a real-life 'Catch Me If You Can' sequel.

While Hernandez might have momentarily relished his freedom, the recapture was inevitable, thanks to diligent law enforcement efforts. He now faces the prospect of being extradited back to sunny California, where the state’s hospitality includes the likely addition of escape charges to his existing rap sheet.

Inmate Jose Padilla, Hernandez's original break-out partner, remains out of sight. Whether he has adopted a new identity, lives off the grid, or simply enjoys the adrenaline, remains unknown. Authorities continue their search for Padilla, another jacket to eventually add to their high recapture percentage.

Hernandez's story serves as a peculiar chapter in the otherwise uneventful lives of California’s conservation camps. These camps provide a crucial service, especially in fire-prone areas, making them invaluable during wildfire seasons. Yet occasionally, they offer inmates other life-changing opportunities, though not quite in the intended form.

Ultimately, the saga of Eduardo Hernandez, from a California camp to the cacophonous vibes of New York City, epitomizes both the cunning and pitfalls inherent in a prison break. For Hernandez, however, the taste of liberty proved bittersweet, culminating in his arrest and an impending return to life behind more formidable bars.