Michael Elliott

(UPDATE: According to WSBT, Indiana State Police have confirmed that Michael Elliot, a convicted murderer who escaped from a Michigan Prison on Sunday, has been captured in LaPorte. LaPorte County police are planning to issue a formal statement soon.)

Earlier today police in LaGrange County reported that the vehicle used in the prison escape of Elliot was found in Shipshewana. Schools there were on lock down as a thorough search was conducted.

Police in multiple states are on a manhunt today, searching for a convicted murderer who escaped a Michigan prison Sunday night and was last seen in Middlebury at about 1 a.m. this morning. New information continues to be released in this case.

Michael David Elliot, 40, kidnapped a Michigan woman after his escape last night. He threatened her with a hammer and a box cutter and forced his way into her vehicle. The woman managed to escape at the Gallop’s gas station on SR 13 when Elliott stopped to get fuel, according to a police news release.

Information provided by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department said the female had a cell phone hidden from Elliot and called 911 while he was pumping gas. The call was received by LaGrange County 911 Dispatchers, even though the gas station is in Elkhart County.

Following dispatchers orders, the female went inside the gas station and locked herself in the restroom. Dispatchers contacted Elkhart County and officers were immediately sent to the station. The victim was found unharmed, but Elliot was gone.

Elliot was convicted in 1993 of murdering four people. According to Grand Rapids-based WOOD-TV, Elliot was serving five life sentences for four murders and an armed robbery. He was also serving 13 years for setting a house on fire and two years for using a firearm during the commission of a felony. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Elliot was last known to be driving the victim’s 2004 red Jeep Liberty with Michigan tags 5FTG55. That vehicle was located abandoned in Shipshewana at approximately 11:30 a.m. today.

As police continue their investigation, Russ Marlan spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said, “It appears (Elliot) created a hole at the bottom of the two perimeter fences of the correctional facility and then crawled through those holes.”

The woman he abducted told police Elliot said he was heading to Chicago or Cleveland. Other information says he has family in Tennessee and may be heading there.

Elliot is 40 years old, 5’8″ with a medium build and brown hair and brown eyes. He may have short hair and a beard and was last known to be wearing a pair of the victim’s black cargo pants and a jacket. When he escaped from prison he was initially believed to be wearing a blue and orange state prison uniform, but authorities in Michigan say he was actually wearing a white prison kitchen uniform even though he did not work in the prison kitchen.

The victim told police Elliot said he wanted to get as far away from Ionia, Mich., as possible. Their first stop was in Middlebury.

If located, contact 911 immediately. Michael Elliot should be considered armed and dangerous.