Dramatic infrared footage shows how a Michigan police helicopter helped track down a jail escapee who was hiding beneath woodland debris.
Casie Jo Helsel, 44, escaped from the Crawford County Jail at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Helsel has a criminal record spanning more than two decades.
Once officers discovered he was gone, they called in the Michigan State Police to assist with the search and recapture operation.
State police sent up the helicopter known as ‘Trooper 3,’ directing its infrared cameras toward a swampy, wooded area behind a country club where investigators suspected Helsel was concealed.
The aerial search proved successful. Helsel was located and taken into custody at 3:58 p.m., fewer than two and a half hours after his escape.
Michigan State Police later released the helicopter video, documenting the coordinated effort between the aviation unit and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
In the monochrome footage, the helicopter sweeps across the tree line before focusing on a glowing white heat signature positioned among branches, brush and scattered debris.
One member of the aerial team noted that Helsel had previously evaded police and described his typical approach as finding cover in water, beneath a dock or beside a stream before remaining hidden until dark.
Infrared footage from a police helicopter captures the moment a jail escapee is located, with his heat signature visible through the trees
A K-9 team moves toward the suspected hiding place as the helicopter crew provides directions from above
Officers approach the suspect while his faint heat signature can still be seen through the surrounding branches
The video then shows several officers and a police dog moving through the woods toward the location identified by the helicopter crew.
As the officers drew close, the aerial team told them, ‘You guys are almost standing on top of it. What we’re seeing, heat-wise.’ Moments later, an officer confirmed, ‘We got him. We got him.’ Authorities said Helsel had been hiding beneath logs and other debris.
The operation involved multiple Michigan State Police units, the County Marine Patrol and deputies from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Great work by all who worked together to safely take the suspect into custody,’ state police said in a statement.
Crawford County Sheriff Ryan Swope said during a press conference that Helsel got out through a door that had been left propped open, WPBN reported.
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The door is normally used by jail employees to move items in and out of the facility. Swope said investigators do not believe the employee who left it open intended to assist Helsel.
The sheriff said his department would carry out a comprehensive review of its procedures and policies to reduce the risk of another escape.
Court records show Helsel was being held on assault and battery charges when he allegedly escaped.
Casie Jo Helsel, 44, was captured after a search lasting roughly two and a half hours. His criminal history stretches back more than 25 years
Officers could be seen surrounding Helsel in the footage before they found him hiding under logs and debris
The video briefly flicked to regular color, showing how it would have been nearly impossible to spot Helsel without the infrared mode
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He had a pre-trial hearing on Sunday, and his next court appearance was scheduled for November 3, the records show.
Michigan Department of Corrections records indicate that Helsel has an extensive criminal history dating back more than 25 years, and he previously served three prison sentences and two parole sentences.
From 2001 to 2004, Helsel was on parole for malicious destruction of property. From 2005 to 2006, he was on parole for possession of a controlled substance and assaulting or resisting an officer.
In 2016, Helsel was sentenced to two and a half years to five years in prison for larceny and possession of a controlled substance charges.
In 2019, he was sentenced to three years and 11 months to seven and a half years in prison for fleeing an officer and obstruction of justice charges.
In 2024, he was sentenced to two years to seven and a half years in prison for charges of assaulting or resisting an officer and fleeing an officer.
Helsel was released on probation in February. In September while still on probation, he allegedly committed the assault and battery he was in jail for at the time of his escape, court records show.
The records do not indicate whether Helsel has been hit with additional charges for the alleged escape on Monday.
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