Andy Close
YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police believe Michael C. Burham, the fugitive who escaped from the Warren County Jail late Thursday night, remains in the general area and may have acquired a fire arm.
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A media release from the state police said that there is “no reason to believe Burham has left the general area” and he is “considered to be armed and dangerous”.
When asked at an afternoon media conference at the Youngsville Fire Department if the State Police believe Burham has acquired a firearm, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Pennsylvania State Police said while he can’t confirm that 100% the State Police are considering him armed and dangerous.
“We are basing that on his previous actions when he escaped,” Bevins said. “In the past, he has precured a firearm. Based on information we have received, we think it is entirely possible at this point. I can’t confirm it 100%, but out of an abundance of caution we are considering him armed. And certainly, with his past criminal history, he is dangerous.”
Watch the full media conference here
Because of Burham being considered armed and dangerous, the public is being urged to not approach Burham if they spot him but instead to call the Pennsylvania State Police Warren Station at 814-728-3600.
While the initial search for Burham was centered within the City of Warren, Bevins said the search area has expanded out to surrounding areas including the wooded areas around Warren and surrounding communities.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe Burham has left the general area,” Bevins said. “It is based on information we have received. It is based on investigative efforts that our people have undertaken. There are a number of things we would look at in an investigation like this that would help us form an opinion about that.”
Bevins said Burham is a self-taught survivalist with military experience and could potentially be holed up in a wooded area near the city (of Warren). The terrain of that area has made it exceptionally hard of law enforcement efforts to locate Burham.
“It is challenging,” Bevins said. “I can tell you, as recently as just before I walked in here our members were out conducting wooded searches. The terrain is rugged and steep. We are using aviation assets to support their operations. But, there are a number of places you just have to go on foot if you want to truly search it. It is taking a lot of time and effort to search those areas. Residents may see our people in an area. We don’t want to cause any concern or panic, but we are trying to be through and follow up on everything.”
Residents are encouraged to go about their days in a normal fashion, but exercise caution.
“There is no reason for them not to go about their daily routine,” Bivens said. “Just make sure you lock your doors, don’t leave keys in your car, those kinds of things. Don’t make it easy for him to acquire supplies or transportation. I will stress that this remains a very fluid and active investigation.”
Bivens was asked about an incident in the Sugar Grove area in which a home was broken into Friday night, and said that it’s possible that it could have been Burham, but that it’s something that is still being investigated.
“That was investigated,” Bevins said. “There were a couple of other incidents we investigated last night and overnight as well. None of those panned out. It is possible that he was there. He was not when our people went near the house. There is some video and other things we’re looking trying to to conclusively determine whether he was there or not.”
Bevins said there is no information that Burham has headed towards the Jamestown, N.Y. area.
“There is nothing that has led us to believe that he is up there or has been up there since his escape,” Bevins said.
The Pennsylvania State Police Warren barracks in Starbrick is currently operating as a command center for the manhunt.
PSP is receiving assistance from the City of Warren Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County District Attorney’s Office, Youngsville Borough Police, Conewango Township Police, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol – Erie and Buffalo sectors, the U.S. Department of Forestry, the U.S. Marshals Service, New York State Police, Jamestown (N.Y.) Police Department, Chautauqua County (N.Y.), Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Parole and the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources.
Burham, 34, is the primary suspect in the May 11 shooting death of Kala Hodgkin, which occurred at her residence on William St. in Jamestown, N.Y.. He was being held in Warren County after being arraigned on kidnapping charges stemming from the original search for him in May.
Burham’s escape from the Warren County Jail is currently being investigated by City of Warren Police Department.
