© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Hamilton County Inmate Who Escaped Is Back In Custody

An inmate from central Indiana was back in custody after he “walked away” from a work release program earlier this month, according to Indiana State Police.

Rafael Rosa III of Noblesville was serving time in Hamilton County for burglary and theft-related convictions when he escaped during a work release program on June 18.

A joint investigation between the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police led authorities to believe that Rosa was most likely hiding out in the Fort Wayne area.

The 27-year-old eluded authorities for a week when he was found at the Knotty Pine Hotel in Fort Wayne on Friday. He tried to run away on foot before authorities took him into custody.

He will be transferred back to Hamilton County, authorities said.

George Hale is a Multi-Media Journalist at Indiana Public Media. He previously worked as an Investigative Reporter for NPR’s northeast Texas member station KETR. Hale has reported from the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Jordan and Egypt.