Escapee found hiding in marsh after hourslong northwest Indiana manhunt
Escapee found hiding in marsh after hourslong northwest Indiana manhunt
An escapee who jumped from a moving vehicle while being transported by a federal immigration officer is back in custody after an hourslong manhunt in northwest Indiana, authorities said.
PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An escapee who jumped from a moving vehicle while being transported by a federal immigration officer is back in custody after an hourslong manhunt in northwest Indiana, authorities said.
Manhunt ends in northwest Indiana
The backstory:
On Tuesday afternoon, Indiana State Police transferred custody of the escapee to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
After the transfer, an ICE officer was transporting the man westbound on Interstate 94 near the Burns Harbor/Porter exit, or Exit 22, to a holding facility for processing.
During the transport, the man was able to free himself from his restraints and jump from the moving vehicle before running north across the highway and into a brush line, state police said.
Law enforcement officers, including Indiana State Police troopers, assisted in the search, which continued for several hours.
Police described the escapee as a Hispanic man wearing dark pants, a black "Scarface" T-shirt and shackles.
Authorities later located the man near a marsh. He was cold and wet after hiding in the water for more than five hours, according to state police.
He was taken into custody without incident.
What they're saying:
The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued this statement on the escapee on Wednesday:
"On August 25, ERO Chicago arrested Elder Jeffry Caal-Tiul, an illegal alien from Guatemala, during an enforcement operation in Chesterton, Indiana. Indiana State Police (ISP) conducted a vehicle stop near the Chesterton weigh station and encountered Caal-Tiul. As part of their 287g partnership, ISP called in ICE to make the arrest. During transport, Caal-Tiul escaped custody. After several hours, Caal-Tiul was found near a marsh area. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.
"On June 15, 2024, CBP encountered Caal-Tiul after he illegally entered the country near Sasabe, Arizona. He was later released by the Biden administration. After failing to show up for his immigration hearing, an immigration judge issued Caal-Tiul a final order of removal on June 5, 2025.
"7 of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE. Partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country. ICE has supercharged efforts with state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officers in our efforts to make America safe again. 287(g) partnerships have increased 1,651%—from 135 agreements to 2,382 since the beginning of President Trump’s second term," ICE said in a statement.
What's next:
Around 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, state police confirmed the man was back in custody and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield.