A woman escaped from a handcuffed position inside a Muskegon Heights police cruiser by climbing out of a half-open rear window and fleeing along a residential street before authorities arrested her Tuesday, officials in western Michigan said.
Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson identified the suspect as Kendra Aney, 38. He said Aney was taken into custody after authorities reviewed the incident that had been captured in cellphone video, which a bystander posted after the escape.
According to the video described by authorities, the woman was first seen poking out her head and upper torso from the window. She then squeezed her legs and feet through the opening, dropped to the ground, and ran away.
Muskegon Heights police said an officer on patrol saw a vehicle parked outside an abandoned business. The driver of that vehicle was identified, but the officer was not initially able to determine the identity of the woman riding in the passenger seat.
Police said a fingerprint scanner was used to confirm who the woman was, and the officer learned she was wanted on a parole violation warrant. Authorities said officers handcuffed her with her hands behind her back and placed her in the cruiser while they continued investigating the parked SUV.
In the cellphone recording, the person who filmed the video is heard saying, “Look, look, look. Y’all seeing it live. This is live,” as the woman ran away. The recording also captures the filmer saying, “They didn’t see this,” after officers realized the woman was gone, though the video does not show whether the filmer attempted to alert police.
Muskegon Heights police said a break-in was reported later Saturday and that officers believe the woman who escaped was responsible. Hilson said Aney has been charged with felony third-degree home invasion, and he added that she was not charged with escape from lawful custody.
Court records did not list an attorney for Aney. The Associated Press said it left a message seeking comment from the Muskegon County Public Defender office.
Authorities also said Michigan’s Department of Corrections listed Aney as a parole absconder on Jan. 12. She was sentenced in February 2017 to seven to 20 years in prison for delivery/manufacturing of a controlled substance, according to the report, and authorities said she has previous convictions for larceny and attempted larceny from buildings.