Convicted Murderer Escapes Michigan Prison, Could be in Indiana, Authorities Warn
Michigan and Indiana officials are on the hunt for escaped murderer Michael David Elliott, who managed to flee from the Ionia Correctional Facility and leave the premises. Not long after, he took a hostage, who later escaped, and police believe he could be in Indiana.
Elliot, 40, was serving five life sentences for being convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery. He was also convicted of setting a house on fire and using/possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. However, he managed to escape from the correctional facility on Sunday evening.
"It appears that he created a hole at the bottom of the two perimeter fences of the correctional facility and then crawled through those holes," Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan told the Associated Press.
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Elliot then managed to abduct a woman and hold her hostage using either a knife or a box cutter and took her Jeep to Indiana. She managed to escape when Elliot stopped to get gas and called police. Elliot took off and now police are combing through Indiana, trying to figure out where he may go.
"This happened several hours ago," Indiana State Police Sgt. Trent Smith said of the ordeal at the gas station. "My guess is he's not sticking around the area – he's gone east, west, or south."
"Citizens should immediately call 911 if they observe anything suspicious or possibly become aware of the whereabouts of … Elliot," Marlan added.
Elliot was last seen driving a 2004 red, 4-door Jeep Liberty with Michigan license plate 5FTG55 that he stole in Michigan. A gas station employee told officials that he had short hair and a beard and was wearing a black or blue hooded sweatshirt.
The Ionia Department of Public Safety released an announcement stating that authorities did not believe Elliot is in the Ionia area, though the public is wary of his exact location.
