A sexually violent predator cut loose from his GPS in the dead of night, and the manhunt is on.
Story Highlights
- Deputies say a 3:30 a.m. “tamper mode” alert signaled the device was removed while he worked in Rancho Bernardo.
- Supervisors from Liberty Healthcare found the monitor off and the offender gone from the site, deputies said.
- The Sheriff’s Office warned the public not to approach and to call 911 if he is seen.
- Officials say he violated terms of conditional release and is now wanted countywide.
Overnight Tamper Alert Triggers Search Across San Diego
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office officials said a GPS monitoring device worn by convicted sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield sent a “Tamper Mode” alert at about 3:30 a.m. while he was working in Rancho Bernardo. Deputies said the supervising contractor, Liberty Healthcare, responded to the location. Staff reported the device had been removed and Wakefield was gone from the area. The Sheriff’s Office asked the public not to approach him and to call 911 or local law enforcement right away.
Sheriff officials posted a county wanted notice for Wakefield, stating he is wanted for violating the terms of his conditional release. Authorities said Wakefield was under supervision through California’s Conditional Release Program, with Liberty Healthcare providing monitoring services under that system. Local outlets reported the alert happened while he was working at an Amazon processing site in Rancho Bernardo, which is where the device was found off and the flight was discovered.
What Officials Confirmed About Supervision And The Worksite
The Sheriff’s Office has documented Wakefield’s supervision history, including his prior placement under conditional release and temporary housing in Campo after a 2024 release. Officials emphasized the public safety steps now in place: do not approach, report sightings immediately, and let trained personnel take the lead. Media accounts, based on sheriff statements, place the incident window in the early morning at the worksite, with the discovery coming after Liberty Healthcare staff checked on the alert.
A law enforcement notice summarized the core violation: removal of the device and departure from the job site in violation of court-ordered conditions. While some outlets shared added details attributed to law enforcement sources, the Sheriff’s posted alert and news release remain the clearest public statements of record. Those records center on the tamper alert, removal of the bracelet, and the current wanted status issued by county authorities.
How GPS Monitoring Works And Why It Matters In High-Risk Cases
Public safety officials use ankle-worn global positioning system devices to track movement and confirm compliance with court orders for high-risk cases. These devices include sensors designed to trigger alerts if the strap is cut, stretched, or removed. Federal court guidance explains that global positioning system monitoring is meant to be continuous, non-removable, and water resistant, with data available to supervising officers. In plain terms, the bracelet should stay on, and if it does not, the system raises an alarm.
Early this morning in Rancho Bernardo, sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield took off his GPS monitor and walked away. His ankle monitor went into "tamper mode" at 3:30 a.m. By the time the state's contractor got there, he was gone.
That's how easy it was.
Wakefield was… pic.twitter.com/pbaiZRFZUv
— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) September 25, 2026
Research and policy papers describe common alert categories, including “master tamper,” which indicates cutting, removal, or similar interference with the strap or case. Officials in this incident used the term “Tamper Mode,” which signals the system detected removal while the subject was on shift. That is why the Sheriff’s Office moved quickly to warn the community and to seek the public’s help with immediate reporting. In these cases, time and accurate tips can cut risk and speed an arrest.
What This Means For Families And Neighborhood Watch Efforts
Parents, faith groups, and neighborhood watch teams should stay alert, share the official description, and follow the Sheriff’s guidance. Call 911 if you see him; do not intervene. Solid community action helps law enforcement and protects families. Cases like this also spotlight the limits of state-run release programs and the need for strict oversight of contractors. Strong supervision and rapid response are essential when high-risk offenders are allowed to work in the community under any form of release.
Sources:
timesofsandiego.com, fox5sandiego.com, nbcsandiego.com, forth.news, stleonards.ca
