Inmates Apprehended After New Year's Eve Escape From Women's Jail

Santa Cruz County correctional officers quickly apprehended two
inmates who attempted to escape from a minimum-security women's jail on New Year's Eve, sheriff's officials said.

Melissa Bica, 19, and Domenika Galpren, 25, were spotted by an officer fleeing from the Blaine Street Women's Facility at 144 Blaine St. around 7:50 p.m. Monday, according to the sheriff's office.

Bica and Galpren had climbed the security fence and were walking away from the jail when they were spotted, the sheriff's office said.

Officers searched for the inmates for a few minutes and apprehended them a few blocks away at the 76 gas station at 805 Ocean St., sheriff's officials said.

Both were cooperative and were arrested without incident, according to the sheriff's office. They were brought to the main jail facility at 259 Water St.

Bica was in custody on drug and stolen property charges, and was awaiting placement into a treatment program. Galpren was at the jail serving time for an auto theft conviction.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.