Hunt is still on for the innocently freed murder suspect from Indiana

Kevin Mason, 28, was captured last week for a 2021 Minneapolis murder after two years on the run.

A “faulty records review by civilian staff,” the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, releasing him from Indianapolis’ Adult Detention Center two days after his arrest.

Mason left Indianapolis on Sept. 13 and “contact has been made with the law enforcement agencies of areas where Mason is believed to have connections,” the sheriff’s office said Friday.

More than 100 police from different agencies were in Indianapolis Wednesday night pursuing several leads, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office Col. James Martin.

“It led us to leads outside of Indianapolis to include parallel investigations currently underway in other cities,” Martin told reporters Thursday afternoon.

Martin did not name cities throughout the investigation.

The U.S. Marshals Service is seeking Mason and offering $10,000. Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said Friday he is “fully confident they will locate Kevin Mason and bring him into custody.”

Forestal claims Mason was wrongfully released at 11:05 a.m. ET on Sept. 13 after being arrested on Sept. 11. He stated authorities were notified of his release about 5:30 p.m.

When Forestal called for a ride later that night, his girlfriend Desiree Oliver picked him up near the jail.

Oliver obtained a new phone, “the deceptive type of behavior we’d expect from somebody when they’re assisting a criminal,” Forestal said Wednesday. He said she purchased Walmart slippers, underwear, and a travel kit for males.

The sheriff said officers discreetly observed her while searching for the suspect before arresting her Wednesday for helping a criminal.

Martin said Oliver is in police custody Thursday.

We’ll pursue you vigorously,” Martin told Mason’s friends Thursday. You will be found and prosecuted like Desiree Oliver.”

“We will not stop or sleep until he is arrested,” he declared.

Two Marion County Sheriff’s Office employees were dismissed following Mason’s release.

“I stated we’re understaffed and underpaid. Not an excuse, but fact “Forestal said.

Mason reportedly shot and killed 29-year-old DonteviusCatchings in a Minneapolis church parking lot during a funeral in June 2021. Later, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged him with second-degree murder and weapons possession.

Sharita Catchings told KSTP that this search for her son’s killer has been “unbearable.”

“It’s hard, it’s devastating,” Sharita Catchings told KSTP.

“I was very energetic, but not anymore,” she stated. “I’d rather sleep half the time.”