Indiana Murder Suspect Accidentally Released from Detention Center; Manhunt Underway
A manhunt is currently underway for an Indiana murder suspect who was mistakenly released from an Indianapolis detention center last week, CNN reports.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance locating the individual, Kevin Mason, 28.
Mason's inadvertent release occurred on September 13, just two days after his arrest, due to a records review error by the detention center's staff, as explained in a news release by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
It is uncertain whether Mason remains within the county, as indicated during a news conference by Sheriff's Colonel James Martin on Tuesday.
Kevin Mason had been arrested in Indiana on September 11, as he was wanted on three warrants from Minnesota.
These warrants encompassed a suspected murder related to a 2021 shooting in Minneapolis, along with allegations of parole violation and firearms possession, as confirmed by the sheriff's office.
His release from custody occurred when a Marion County Sheriff's Office clerk erroneously removed two holds from his file, thinking she was addressing duplicate bookings.
The following day, a Minnesota clerk cleared the last hold on Mason's file without detecting the prior day's error, as explained by Colonel Martin.
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Indiana Murder Suspect's Girlfriend Arrested
Desiree Oliver, aged 29 and identified as Mason's girlfriend, is currently in custody, facing a charge of assisting a criminal, classified as a Level 5 felony.
Officials believe Oliver was the first person Mason contacted upon release, per FOX 59.
Sheriff Kerry Forestal stated during the press conference that Mason had been on the run for nearly two years but was in custody for only 48 hours.
The sheriff expressed the desire to have no one released from jail, especially someone facing murder charges, and the authorities are actively working to locate him.
It is also reported that Oliver purchased a new cell phone and various men's and travel-related items.
She was observed traveling to an area with numerous nearby hotels. Oliver has not been cooperating with the Marion County Sheriff's Office in providing information about Mason.
Another woman was questioned but had not been arrested as of the time of the press conference.
Indiana Murder Suspect, Kevin Mason Cases
Kevin Mason is wanted in connection with the 2021 shooting and murder of Dontevius A. Catchings, 29, in the Shiloh Temple parking lot in Minneapolis, IndyStar noted.
Reports said that Mason and Catchings were longtime friends but had a physical altercation over Mason's refusal to return a firearm to Catchings.
An internal investigation is ongoing to determine if there were any policy or procedural violations. Still, two employees of the sheriff's office have already been terminated.
Mason is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 205 pounds, with a cross tattoo under his right eye, and "SUB" tattooed on his chest, and a neck tattoo.
Authorities encourage residents to provide any information or tips that could aid in identifying and locating Kevin Mason, the suspect who was accidentally released.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Manhunt underway for murder suspect accidentally released from jail in Indiana - From NBC News