Muskegon Heights, Michigan – A woman who exited the back window of a police cruiser while handcuffed and then fled over the weekend was arrested Tuesday, authorities in West Michigan said.
Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson identified the suspect as Kendra Ani, 38.
A bystander captured cellphone video Saturday of a woman climbing out the half-open window of a Muskegon Heights police cruiser as officers looked through the SUV in which she was a passenger.
The video, which was posted on social media, shows the woman first removing her head and upper torso. She then presses her legs and feet, then falls to the ground and runs away along a residential street.
An officer on patrol saw a car parked outside an abandoned store, Muskegon Heights police said in a Facebook post. The driver was identified, but the officer was unable to identify the woman sitting in the passenger seat.
A fingerprint scanner was used to confirm her identity, and the officer learned she was wanted on a parole violation warrant. Her hands were tied behind her back and placed in the cruiser, according to police.
She fled while officers continued to investigate the parked SUV.
In the video, the man who opened fire is heard saying: “Look, look, look. You’re going to see him live. This is live,” as the woman runs away.
“They didn’t see this,” he continues as officers discover the woman is gone. The video does not show whether he tried to alert police.
A break-in was reported later on Saturday, and officers believe the woman who escaped was responsible.
Ani was charged with felony third-degree home invasion, Hilson said.
Hilson added that she was not charged with escaping lawful custody, which is a misdemeanor.
Court records did not list an attorney for Annie. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from the Muskegon County Public Defender’s Office.
On January 12, the Michigan Department of Corrections listed Ani as a parole fugitive. She was sentenced in February 2017 to 7 to 20 years in prison for delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance. Annie has previous convictions for robbery and attempted theft from premises.
Muskegon Heights is located about 190 miles (300 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.