# Woman Escapes Muskegon Heights Police Car While Handcuffed, Later Recaptured After Break-In
A woman handcuffed in a Muskegon Heights police car escaped by pushing herself through a partially open rear window and fleeing on foot Saturday, authorities said. The incident was caught on video by a bystander and later went viral on social media.
The woman's escape happened about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the area Norton Avenue and Peck Street in the Western Michigan community. An officer who was on patrol in that area saw a vehicle parked near a vacant business building. The officer approached the vehicle and spoke with those inside.
During the investigation, the department said police were able to identify the driver but were initially unable to identify the woman who was the passenger. Another police officer arrived with a fingerprint scanner that was used to confirm her identity. With that information, police said officers learned a parole violation warrant was outstanding for the woman.
Police took the woman into custody, handcuffed her, and placed her in the rear seat of a Muskegon Heights Police Department patrol vehicle. What happened after the officers placed her in the car was caught on video by someone else who was in the area.
>A short time later, while officers were searching the suspect vehicle, the female was able to squeeze through the partially open rear window, exit the patrol vehicle, and flee the scene on foot, the police department report said.
The video showed the woman pushing herself out of the rear passenger window despite her hands being cuffed behind her back. Once she got one leg out of the window, she stepped all the way out and ran in the opposite direction of the officers.
Police tried to locate her after realizing she was gone, but she was not found. Later that day, a resident of Peck Street reported a break-in. Police believe the suspect in that incident is the same woman who ran off from the patrol vehicle.
The woman was found about 9 a.m. Tuesday in a vacant home in Muskegon Heights. She is now at the Muskegon County Jail, with charges pending.
>Muskegon Heights PD would like to thank the citizen who called in and reported the female's location, a follow-up police report said.
Video Goes Viral
The dramatic escape was captured on video by a bystander who witnessed the woman squeeze through the partially open window despite being handcuffed. The footage spread quickly on social media platforms and drew attention to the unusual nature of the incident.
The video shows the woman pushing herself out of the rear passenger window with her hands cuffed behind her back. Once she got one leg out of the window, she stepped all the way out and ran in the opposite direction of the officers who were searching the suspect vehicle.
Woman Recaptured
Police tried to locate her after realizing she was gone, but she was not found immediately. Later that day, a resident of Peck Street reported a break-in. Police believe the suspect in that incident is the same woman who ran off from the patrol vehicle.
The woman was found about 9 a.m. Tuesday in a vacant home in Muskegon Heights. She is now at the Muskegon County Jail, with charges pending.
>The video showed the woman pushing herself out of the rear passenger window despite her hands being cuffed behind her back. Once she got one leg out of the window, she stepped all the way out and ran in the opposite direction of the officers, the police department report said.
Police Thank Citizen for Reporting Location
The Muskegon Heights Police Department credited a citizen for helping track down the woman after her escape. The department thanked the person who called in and reported the female's location to authorities.
>Muskegon Heights PD would like to thank the citizen who called in and reported the female's location, a follow-up police report said.
The incident highlights the importance of vigilance in the community and cooperation between residents and law enforcement officials in Muskegon Heights.