Frequent Yuba County fugitive can't escape prison

A frequent fugitive from Olivehurst cut a deal on Wednesday with Yuba County prosecutors and will spend more than five years in state prison.

Daniel Aaron Rowden pleaded no contest on Wednesday to felony counts of carjacking and evading police in November, authorities said.

Charges of unlawful sex with a minor and drug possession were dismissed as part of the deal, according to Shiloh Sorbello, deputy Yuba County district attorney.

"The carjacking charge is a strike offense," Sorbello said.

Under terms of the deal, Rowden will be sentenced to five years and eight months in prison and must serve at least 85 percent, or just under five years before he is eligible for parole, authorities said.

Troubles for Rowden started in October when he was arrested on the carjacking charge after a day-long chase with the Yuba County Sheriff's Department that ended when Rowden was discovered crying and hiding in a trash bin.

Rowden was arrested again on Nov. 7 on the drug case. He bailed out of jail, but failed to appear in court Dec. 26.

He was arrested again on Jan. 5 after a short foot chase in Linda.

Deputies found him hiding under a couch cushion outside a home on Lowe Avenue.

Rowden will be sentenced March 18.

He remains in custody without bail at the Yuba County Jail.