The search for the inmate who escaped Wednesday from the Westville Correctional Facility has gained national attention and now includes the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The Indiana State Police on Friday sought help from the public in finding Kelvin J. Fuller, 40, of Anderson, Ind., who escaped Wednesday between 8 and 9:50 a.m.

The escape and call for the public's help will be featured on "America's Most Wanted" television show, which airs at 8 p.m. today on the Fox network, said Rebecca Jungel, publicity associate for the program.

The U.S. Marshals Service on Friday offered its help to state police, who are spearheading the investigation.

If the investigation crosses the state line, marshals can coordinate the pursuit with agencies around the country, an agency spokesman said.

Since Fuller's escape, state police believe he broke into a home near the prison and stole two sets of car keys and a white Chevrolet Malibu, robbed a female bus driver in Merrillville and, Thursday morning, robbed a Fifth Third Bank branch in Fishers, Ind.

The Lake County prosecutor charged Fuller on Friday with robbery, confinement, strangulation and intimidation in connection with the Merrillville incident.

State police Sgt. Detective Joe Gawor said Friday afternoon no new crimes have been tied to Fuller and he doesn't expect Fuller to return to Northwest Indiana. He said he hopes the national exposure on "America's Most Wanted" will result in tips that lead to Fuller's arrest.

Elaine Zschoche, litigation liaison for the Westville Correctional Facility, said prison officials are continuing their investigation on how Fuller was able to escape the facility.

Fuller was convicted in Hancock, Marion and Madison counties for crimes including robbery and battery, as well as criminal confinement, burglary, arson and escape from lawful confinement. Fuller was sentenced Jan. 3, 1992, and would have been eligible for release March 2, 2012. He will now face his full sentence and will lose credit for good time served, Zschoche said.

DESCRIPTION

Kelvin J. Fuller is black and 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs about 175 pounds. He has a mustache and salt and pepper facial hair, short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tan shirt and pants and driving a stolen white 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sedan, with Indiana In God We Trust plate WI 7309. Anyone with information about Fuller's whereabouts can call Indiana State Police at (800) 552-8917 or "America's Most Wanted" at (800) CRIME TV.