Morgan Hill – Five male juveniles – one allegedly only in his underwear – escaped from the James Boys’ Ranch in Morgan Hill late Wednesday night, according to police.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department officers, Morgan Hill Police and Sasko the MHPD police dog, continued to search the area late into the night near the facility on Malaguerra Avenue.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter searched unsuccessfully for the escapees for about 30 minutes.
The incident began about 9pm after a fight at the facility between Norteño and Sureño gang members, police said. Two victims in the fight were treated by emergency personnel for minor injuries.
Youths sentenced to the boys’ ranch through the juvenile court system typically commit less serious offenses than those sentenced to the California Youth Authority facility in San Jose.
