Ionia Prison Escape: Convicted Killer Caught Following Dramatic Police Chase

Following an Ionia prison escape, a convicted killer is once again behind bars after just 24 hours on the run. Michael David Elliot, who was convicted of murdering four people, peeled a hole in two fences before abducting a woman and fleeing.

Elliot was captured by police on Monday evening, following a pursuit which ended in a car crash. Officers approached the car with their weapons drawn as Elliot tried to escape via the window of the vehicle.

Deputy Jeff Wright of the LA Porte County Sheriff’s Department said: “We yanked him out of the car, yes.”

Another officer who assisted in capturing Elliot following his Ionia prison escape, Shawek Czupryna, said: “At first I couldn’t believe it that this is the guy we were looking for,” he added, “As many officers and deputies as we had, he didn’t stand a chance to escape again.”

Fortunately, Elliot didn’t put up too much of a fight once he realized that there was no escape: “He wasn’t disruptive by any means. He was fairly polite actually. He didn’t try to give false names or send us off the path. We asked his name and he told us who he was,” said Deputy Wright.

Dan Heyns, from the Michigan Department of Corrections, responded to the criticisms leveled against his department: “It is obvious there were some flaws in our security and we need to assess what those are,” he said.

The fugitive had a very busy 24 hours on the run, having stolen four vehicles including a jeep. He also covered over 150 miles during his one day free from prison.

La Porte County Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer said: “To have him off the streets and put people’s mind at ease is very gratifying.”

Obviously, new security measures will be put in place to ensure that another Ionia prison escape is avoided in the future. There is a sense of relief that the escaped convict is back behind bars so quickly after his escape.