MERCED, Calif. - Six inmates have escaped from the county jail, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday the jail staff discovered that six inmates were missing from their cell. Deputies believe just before midnight Saturday the inmates were able to gain access to the roof and then used a handmade rope to scale down the side of the building.

The Sheriff's Office has formed a task force to track down and apprehend the escaped fugitives, who are considered to be armed and dangerous. Citizens are asked to call 9-1-1 if they see any of the men who escaped and are being advised not to approach them.

ESCAPED INMATES (Booking photos of these men are located in the gallery section of this article)

• BARRON, JORGE  - 20-year-old Hispanic male adult from Atwater, CA - 5’05” 140 lbs, black hair, brown eyes - Current Charges: Violation of probation

• CORONADO, GABRIEL FRANCIS - 19-year-old, Hispanic male adult from Atwater, CA - 5’10”, 225 lbs, black hair, brown eyes – Current Charges: Attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of probation

• LEON, MANUEL ALLEN - 21-year-old Hispanic male adult from Vallejo, CA -  5’10” 165 lbs, black hair, brown eyes  – Current Charges: Assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evade peace officer, reckless driving, participation in a criminal street gang, carrying a loaded firearm

• RODRIGUEZ JR, ANDRES NUNEZ - 21-year-old Hispanic male adult from Planada, CA - 5’07”145 lbs, black Hair, brown Eyes, from Planada, Ca – Current Charges - Attempted Murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm

• ROMAN, FABIAN CRUZ – 22-year-old, Hispanic male adult from Los Banos, CA -  5’06”, 145 lbs, black hair, brown eyes – Current Charges: Murder

• VENTURA, EDGAR EDUARDO – 22-year-old, Hispanic male adult from Portland, OR - 5’11”, 129 lbs, black hair, brown eyes -  Current Charges: Felon in possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, violation of probation