Escaped inmate search called off

DORR, Mich. (WOOD) - Allegan County authorities Tuesday morning ceased all air and ground search efforts for two inmates who escaped from the Lake County Residential Reentry Program. Authorities are now only using witness tips at this point of the investigation.

Authorities are looking for Gregory Allen Bradshaw, 23, and Kenneth Lee Grauman II, 32, who began their escape on Saturday afternoon.

The full-scale search was called off around 11 p.m. Monday after a house-to-house search near Dorr was completed, according to the Allegan County Sheriff's Department. A Michigan State Police helicopter and mobile patrols were part of the search.

Multiple law enforcement agencies had a square mile in rural Allegan County locked down for more than six hours Monday afternoon. But now, authorities say the two men may have slipped away yet again.

They thought the suspects were fleeing on foot in the area of 142nd Avenue and 21st Street.

Officials said both escapees are from Allegan County and the Allegan area, and may have contacted friends and family.

The area in Dorr was surrounded and multiple police agencies were involved in the search. A private citizen with an ultra-light aircraft helped search for the pair, but left as the Michigan State Police helicopter arrived on the scene.

Lt. Frank Baker of the Allegan County Sheriff's Department told 24 Hour News 8 at 6 p.m. it appeared the inmates have changed clothing several times during their escape.

A green Jeep Cherokee stolen from Kent County and used as a getaway vehicle was located, he said.

Lt. Baker said a police perimeter had been set up and suggested people in the area lock their doors. If they see someone suspicious on their property, he said, they should call 911 immediately.

Resident Tracey Schmidt followed authorities' directions.

"I went in the house and locked the doors," Schmidt said Monday. "I probably won't sleep tonight. I hope they do find them."

Anyone with information on the escaped inmates is asked to call 911 or Silent Observer at 1.855.SILENT.O.

Sheriff's department officials said it was possible the men may have made it through the police perimeter and escaped again.

The ultra-light aircraft that initially hovered over the scene was piloted by Craig Ewing, CEO of Silver Lining Aviation. He was out on a pleasure flight when he ended up hot on the trail of the inmates as they barreled off-road in the stolen Cherokee.

"I just watched the news on News 8 about these guys last night, so it was pretty ironic to see them coming across," Ewing told 24 Hour News 8. "And we knew it was pretty big because these guys weren't stopping for anything."

The stolen Cherokee believed to be occupied by Bradshaw and Grauman traveled at a high speed through a field and left behind a cloud of dust, Ewing said.

"They were running over fences. We saw them jump the car and get airborne two or three times," Ewing said.

Video shot from Ewing's aircraft gives a glimpse at the lengths Bradshaw and Grauman went to get away and shows the risk law enforcement officers are taking in their pursuit, not knowing if their suspects were armed.

"This guy, he will stop at nothing to get through. No question," said Ewing.

Around 4 p.m. Monday, police said they thought they had the men confined to a square mile. Later in the evening, Ewing said he believed the men were still there.

"I know he didn't cross any of those roads because they had a perimeter set up all the way around. He's there somewhere," said Ewing. "I would bet a lot that he's in that area."

At first, Ewing and his passenger were the only sets of eyes in the sky, and he caught a look at the men who seem desperate to get away.

"I hope they get them. I hope they get them," said Ewing. "It was just another flight. But tonight was beautiful. We had a little extra."

There is a lot of manpower invested in the search for Bradshaw and Grauman, and it's costing a lot of money.

This is the second stolen vehicle and second police chase that these suspects are believed to have been a part of -- they led police on another high-speed chase Sunday in Sand Lake before crashing a stolen mini van in a field.

Meanwhile, the list of charges they could face is lengthening.

-- Home video posted above is courtesy David Anderson via ReportIt --