Michigan jail escapee on run for 8 days captured after two vehicle chases

EATON COUNTY, MI — A man who escaped the Ingham County jail more than a week ago was captured after two separate vehicle chases Saturday in Eaton Rapids.

Michael David McKerchie was taken into custody about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

He escaped the Ingham County Jail late Nov. 12 or early Nov. 13 by dismantling a daylight window and also using mattress padding to form a fake body shape on his cell bed.

He was in jail since Sept. 21 for auto theft, among other felonies.

Police think he stole a vehicle not far from the jail after the escape.

On Saturday, someone saw him leaving an Eaton Rapids convenience store and called 911. An Eaton Rapids officer soon spotted the vehicle in the 911 caller’s description and gave chase. The truck McKerchie was driving crashed in a cemetery and he ran.

Another person soon approached police, saying his pickup had just been stolen. Eaton County sheriff’s deputies were already in the area to help with a perimeter and they began pursuing the second pickup.

They were able to make a stop and arrest the driver, McKerchie. He was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation.

He faces charges in both Eaton and Ingham counties.

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