Police Are Finding Clues in Their Search for the Escaped Warren County Prison Inmate in Pennsylvania

Police believe that the suspect is still in the area

Michael C. BurhamPhoto byWarren Police Department

Police in Pennsylvania have announced that they have discovered "small stockpiles or campsites" in heavily wooded areas that they believe are associated with Michael C. Burham, the prison inmate and homicide suspect who escaped from Warren County Prison in Pennsylvania last week.

Pennsylvania State Police said the discovery was made in wooded areas around Warren, a small city in northern Pennsylvania about 60 miles from Lake Erie.

These items that have been recovered have led authorities to believe that Burham is still in Pennsylvania. Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police earlier said Tuesday that searchers "are still finding some items that we do believe are connected to him.”

“Those lead me to believe that there is still a likelihood that he is here; I also look at the absence of proof that he has gone anywhere else,” Bivens told reporters in a regular late afternoon news conference at the Youngsville, Pennsylvania, municipal building.

The reward money for tips leading to Burham's arrest has more than doubled.

Burham is believed to have supplies “that would assist him with a prolonged stay in the area,” Bivens said. More than 150 law enforcement personnel from over a dozen local, state, and federal agencies are now assisting in the search, according to Bivens.

“The pace and scope of this investigation has continued to dramatically increase as we investigate leads in this area and adjacent states,” Bivens said. He noted investigators believe Burham is still in the general area of Warren.

Bivens said searchers have been investigating possible sightings and break-ins of unoccupied structures or cabins, using technology such as DNA to see if Burham is connected to them. But so far no link to him had been confirmed, Bivens said.

“I have a strong belief that he is receiving help,” Bivens said, repeating a warning that such actions would have consequences. “Again, I caution anyone that is currently giving help or is contemplating it, we will prosecute you for it.”

The addition of a $10,000 reward posted by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has raised the total reward money in the case to $19,500, Bivens said. The U.S. Marshals Service earlier offered $7,500 for information leading to Burham’s capture, and Warren County Crime Stoppers has offered $2,000.

Local, multistate, and federal authorities have searched numerous residences, abandoned structures, and wooded areas using K-9 units and aerial resources such as drones and aircraft, authorities said.

Bivens has said that Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training.

Authorities were searching a very large area with a lot of difficult terrain that has cabins, oil and gas sheds, and shacks that could offer a fugitive a place to hide, officials have said.

Bivens said during a press conference Wednesday that they have increased reason to believe that Burham may have acquired a firearm.

“We have additional information that we have gleaned recently that causes me to have additional concerns that he may be armed,” Bivens said.

Police would like the public to remain vigilant. Do NOT approach Burham if you see him. Call 911 or the Pennsylvania State Police.