Serious violent felon jumps out of jail transport van, on the loose in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — A suspect considered to be a serious violent felon escaped police custody while being transported to the Marion County Jail and is now on the loose in Indianapolis.

Sheriff’s deputies were called around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday to 695 Justice Way, the address for the Marion County Criminal Justice Campus, for a reported “jail break.” Indianapolis Metropolitan police were also called to help search for an “escaped inmate from the CJC.”

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says the escapee jumped out of a transport vehicle en route to the CJC and fled on foot, running northbound. The man was reportedly in the custody of Marion County Community Corrections during the escape.

The inmate has been identified as 35-year-old Diontae Green, a 5’9″, 160-pound adult male. He was last seen wearing both handcuffs and leg shackles as well as a black jacket and blue jeans.

Police said drones are now being used to search for Green. Marion County sheriff’s deputies and K9s were seen along Southeastern Avenue searching a nearby homeless encampment around 1 p.m.

Police also provided the following image of an immediate search area on the city’s near east side.

Green was under arrest for an outstanding warrant issued on Tuesday morning. The warrant, issued out of Marion County, was for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – a level 4 felony.

“Green was sentenced to Marion County Community Corrections Work Release,” a Community Corrections official said. “Green was being transported for an active warrant that had been issued based on a Violation filed by Marion County Community Corrections. He was in trip gear at the time of the escape, meaning he was handcuffed by both his wrists and ankles.”

Online court records show Green has an extensive criminal history in Marion County, having been booked into jail at least 18 times since 2006. He was first convicted of armed robbery and carjacking at the age of 16. To read Green’s full rap sheet, click here.

Anyone with information on Green’s whereabouts or escape is asked to immediately call 911. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement Tuesday afternoon confirming that Green was not in MCSO custody at the time of the escape.

“Community Corrections is an independent agency and is not overseen by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office or Sheriff Kerry Forestal,” the statement read. “Multiple agencies are assisting in attempting to locate Green.”

MCSO said that the Marion County Community Corrections Agency is the lead investigating body on this case and directed all questions to them. IMPD also later clarified that the man escaped from Community Corrections and was not in another agency’s custody.