Escaped Wood County inmate suspected of stealing car in Michigan

Wood County Jail

The escaped inmate from Wood County Jail reportedly stole a car in Michigan on Thursday morning.

Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said this morning that he had learned the inmate, Christopher Michael Eldredge, had reportedly stolen a vehicle in Monroe County, Michigan.

Eldredge remains on the lam.

According to the Monroe News, a suspect identified as Eldredge was reported acting suspicious in the vestibule of a business. The man left the vestibule prior to the deputies’ arrival. As deputies were investigating, they discovered that the suspect entered the break room, changed his clothes and stole a vehicle from the parking lot.

Eldredge, 35, reportedly escaped Saturday while being treated at Wood County Hospital. The inmate had been taken to the hospital after he complained of an illness, Wasylyshyn said.

He reportedly fled on foot from a Wood County Sheriff’s Deputy who said he was checking a hospital restroom for contraband before the inmate used it. 

The inmate reportedly stole a vehicle from a Bowling Green hair salon and fled to Toledo.

Eldredge, in an orange jumpsuit, reportedly entered a hair salon in the 1200 block of West Wooster Street. According to the staff and customers, the prisoner ran into the shop and demanded car keys. Eldredge reportedly saw a customer’s keys sitting on a counter, grabbed them, and ran out of the salon.

An employee ran out after him, but saw a deputy approaching, so she stopped chasing the inmate. The deputy began struggling with Eldredge, but the inmate was able to get away and get in the car. 

The vehicle was later found in the area of Woodlawn and Phillips Avenue in Toledo.

Wasylyshyn said earlier in the week that his office is working with the U.S. Marshals Office and Toledo Police to locate Eldredge – who now faces felony charges for escape and stealing a vehicle.

Eldredge, 6 foot and 190 pounds with a shaved head, was incarcerated at Wood County Jail on April 7 for receiving stolen property. He has a bald eagle tattoo on his chest, a black panther and pit bull tattoos on the upper part of his back, and a large bump on his head.