Milpitas: Inmate now in maximum security following attempted escape

MILPITAS, Calif. (KTVU) - The Santa Clara County Sheriff is crediting security cameras and two deputies for foiling the escape attempt of an inmate over the weekend.

The incident happened on Aug. 28 around 2:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, according to Sheriff Laurie Smith.

“I think the cameras are what prevented the escape, other than the two heads up deputies who were paying attention to the monitors,” she said.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office identified the inmate as Christopher Boscacci. KTVU learned he was in jail on a misdemeanor for petty theft and could have been released as early as Monday. Instead, he now faces an attempted escape charge.

She said the two deputies were watching surveillance footage when they noticed movement on the camera and called out to other deputies.

Smith said the deputies saw Boscacci upside down, shimmying along a power line in an attempt to get away. He reportedly began his escape attempt by climbing a fence to get on a roof of a building inside the minimum security facility. Boscacci then climbed a bigger fence where his sandals got stuck. He continued to climb on top of what deputies call “candy cane fencing” and walked or crawled his way to a power line.

Once at the power line, Boscacci reportedly took off his shirt to protect his hands.

“He went across the power lines and went between the two fences and he fell between the two fences,” Smith said.

By that time, deputies were en route to stop him.

“He never breached the perimeter of the exterior so it was an attempted escape and our deputies did a really good job,” Smith said.

Elmwood had old security cameras, but Smith said they became inoperable. The new cameras were installed a couple of months ago as part of the push for more cameras at all jail facilities following the death of inmate Michael Tyree in August 2015.

Smith said the cameras have helped capture crimes, provide evidence for inmates who make claims against deputies, and this case, they send a message.

“Don’t try to escape,” Smith said. “He’s on the minimum compound. He’s on a misdemeanor, petty theft. Now he’s got a felony.”

Boscacci was treated for a minor ankle injury after dropping about 25 to 30 feet from the power line. He is being held at the Main Jail in Santa Clara, a maximum security facility.