Arrested Woman Escapes Mich. Police Cruiser in Bystander Video

By Max Reinhart

Source The Detroit News

A woman who was briefly apprehended by law enforcement in Muskegon County is now at large after video of her bold escape from a police vehicle has gone viral.

Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Muskegon Heights police saw a vehicle parked at an abandoned business and talked to the occupants, the agency said Monday in a press release. Officers found that a female passenger in the vehicle had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation.

The woman, who was not identified in the release, was handcuffed and put into the back seat of a police patrol vehicle while officers began searching the vehicle.

'They don't even see her!'

A bystander captured video of the arrest — and the ensuing escape — which has since been viewed thousands of times on social media. The clip was shared by news site The Block Paper Weekly.

At about the 14 minute mark in the video, the woman can be seen wriggling through a partially open back window in the police vehicle, while officers continue their investigation, unaware of the escape in progress. Her body continues to inch itself out of the cruiser, her hands still in handcuffs, until she gets one foot on the ground, then the other. She then immediately sprints away from the scene and around a corner.

"They don't even see her!" the bystander can be heard saying in the video. "Run, run, run!"

Seconds later, officers can be seen returning to the patrol vehicle to check for the suspect, who is no longer anywhere in sight.

"Officers immediately responded and attempted to locate her; however, she was not found," police said in the release.

The bystander video shows officers in patrol cars rushing up and down the street where the woman was seen running, while the amused bystander laughs about what he just witnessed.

"Uh — I don't think they're gonna find her, y'all," he says.

Breaking and entering

At 7:30 p.m., a resident at a nearby home reported a breaking and entering incident from around 4:20 p.m., police said. Authorities believe the escapee was responsible for that incident.

As of Monday, the woman remains at large. Police said they are obtaining additional warrants for charges including escape, breaking and entering, and larceny.

Anyone with information is asked to call Muskegon Heights police at (231) 733-89000 or the Silent Observer anonymous tipline at (231) 722-7463.

Comments on the news site share a theme: Most marvel at the dexterity of the woman.

"Can we go back and look at how little that window was open that she wiggled out of?! That was actually impressive," said Bree Goff.

"Just the dismount alone was crazy," wrote Patrick Saville.

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