Published: July 15, 2009 12:33 pm      

Reward offered for info on escaped inmates from Indiana State Prison

MICHIGAN CITY — A private crime tip service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of the two remaining escapees from the Indiana State Prison.

Members of the public with information about the whereabouts of 46-year-old Mark Booher of New Castle or 45-year-old Lance Battreal are asked to call the private crime tip service WeTip at 1-800-78CRIME (1-800-782-7463) or to go online to www.wetip.com.

WeTip says people reporting information will remain anonymous.

The inmates — two convicted of murder and one of rape — escaped through the tunnels under the Michigan City prison Sunday morning by breaking through metal bars and gates. They emerged from a manhole on 10th Street, north of the prison, authorities said.

At least two escaped convicts made it to Grand Beach, Mich., eight miles northwest of the prison.

Charles Smith, 48, who was convicted of murder in 1999 and sentenced to 95 years in prison, was caught Monday near the vacation home of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Smith was returned to the maximum-security prison Tuesday.

Grand Beach police believe Booher, of New Castle, who was convicted of an Indianapolis murder in 1999, was with Smith in the community along Lake Michigan.

After hours of searching, Indiana State Police called off the manhunt Monday evening. They say they’re focusing on new leads and tips to track down Booher and Lance Battreal, 45, a convicted rapist from Rockport.

All three escaped convicts faced at least 30 more years in prison on their sentence when they fled.

Prison officials, who remained tightlipped about their investigation Tuesday, are still trying to determine how the men were able to escape.