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Police searching for escaped Ingham County jail inmate

November 13, 2020
<p>Michael McKerchie, who escaped Ingham County Jail on Nov. 13, 2020 and was caught a week later on Nov. 21. Photo provided by Ingham County.</p>

Michael McKerchie, who escaped Ingham County Jail on Nov. 13, 2020 and was caught a week later on Nov. 21. Photo provided by Ingham County.

An inmate escaped Ingham County Jail early Friday morning, according to Ingham County alerts.

The inmate, Michael David McKerchie, has been in jail since Sept. 21, according to the release. He was jailed for Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile (UDAA) at Dunkin' Donuts in Okemos, Michigan.

McKerchie was also charged for reckless driving causing serious impairment, failure to stop at the scene of an accident and restricting and obstructing arrest.

His bond is set at $250,000 for these charges.

The police are still investigating the details of the escape. The release explained certain details will not be released to ensure jail security.

It was discovered upon closer examination that McKerchie had dismantled a mattress and used the padding to simulate his sleeping body. He then disassembled a daylight window and the angle iron that was used to frame it in order to escape.

Just before his escape was discovered, law enforcement deputies took a report of a stolen pick-up a few miles from the jail. Deputies believe McKerchie is driving the truck, which is 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2WD that's blue-green in color with a MI license plate: DRW-9448.

The vehicle also has a unique deer-fish hook decal on the driver side's rear window and a tonneau cover on the bed.

While investigating the vehicle theft, detectives observed a suspect on the home's surveillance system that they believe is an image of McKerchie.

Detectives also found McKerchie on Ingham County Jail surveillance video running from the jail, near the 55th District Court, at 11:23 p.m. on Nov. 12. Detectives believe McKerchie might possibly be headed to Battle Creek Mich., Otsego Mich. or Indiana.  

Other local law enforcement group are assisting the Ingham County sheriff's department, according to the release.

The authorities encourage anyone with information on McKerchie's whereabouts to call 911.

Editor's Note: This article was updated Friday evening to add information about the vehicle McKerchie is believed to be driving.

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