Convicted Killer, Michigan Prison Escapee, Captured in Indiana Late Monday

Michael David Elliot, 40, Captured in Indiana

Michael David Elliot

Facts:

• Was convicted of first degree murder in 1994
• Murdered 4 people in Gladwin County, Michigan in 1993 before setting their house on fire
• Was serving life without parole in Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility

A convicted murderer was captured late Monday evening after a massive manhunt that lasted over 24 hours and spanned 2 states. 

Michael David Elliot was convicted of first degree murder in 1994 and had served over 20 years in prison before he escaped late Sunday evening. Elliot was apparently able to bypass an electrified fence outfitted with motion sensors sometime between 9:00 and 10:00 PM Sunday evening. As soon as he escaped from prison, armed with a box-cutter and a hammer, Elliot abducted a woman and stole her jeep. He then drove approximately 135 miles southwest to Elkhart, Indiana before stopping for gas. 

Two cities from whence Elliot escaped and was captured

The abducted woman, whom officials have yet to name publicly, was able to call 911 from a cellular phone in the gas station bathroom. By the time officials had arrived at the scene, Elliot had escaped in the woman's vehicle. A resident in LaGrange County, Indiana found the woman's Jeep Liberty in Shipshewana, 22 miles east of Elkhart. 

Elkhart, IN gas station security footage

The unnamed woman told officials that she had not been harmed during the ordeal.

Elliot was able to steal a car in LaPorte County, Indiana, but ran out of luck as a sheriff's deputy spotted the car that had been reported stolen. Elliot tried to elude officers but was unable to do so. He was captured and taken into custody late Monday.  

Dan Heyns, Michigan Corrections Department Director, stated "Nothing in Elliot's record suggested that he might escape," later adding, "This is entirely a one man operation."  

At the time of this report, it is unknown if security at the prison's fence was functional or how Elliot was able to avoid them. 

Elliot was serving five consecutive life sentences for fatally shooting 4 people before setting their Gladwin County home aflame in 1993 in an attempt to rob a drug dealer. He was arrested days after this incident in possession of a gun that directly tied him to the murders. Tammy LaCross, one of Elliot's accomplices who was 16 at the time, testified against Elliot in court, stating that he had laughed about the murders after the fact. 

The state of Michigan is expected to begin the extradition process immediately.