Indiana Inmate Accused of Attacking Deputy, Stealing Squad Car

— -- Authorities in Lafayette, Indiana are searching for an escaped inmate who is accused of stealing a sheriff's deputy's patrol car.

Tippecanoe County Sheriff Deputy Jennifer Thompson was taking an inmate, Marcus Alan Bramlett, from a hospital back to custody Friday when an incident occurred, authorities said.

"[Bramlett] had complained about not feeling well, they were doing a screening to see if anything was wrong," Tippecanoe County Sheriff Barry Richard said. "The deputy was taking him back [to custody] and that's when the altercation happened in the vehicle."

"It appears he hit her," Richard said, and when Thompson exited the squad car, "he took it," Richard added.

Thompson fired one shot through the patrol car window, according to Richard.

Thompson was injured in the incident and taken to a hospital, the Sheriff's Department said. She has since been released. The squad car was recovered, but Bramlett, 25, remains at-large.

Bramlett is considered armed and dangerous, the Sheriff's Office said. Bramlett was originally arrested on Tuesday for resisting law enforcement, according to Richard.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the WeTip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.