Couple testing barking canine results in encounter with escapee, his recapture

YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. — A pair testing a barking canine on their northwestern Pennsylvania property led to the seize of a murder suspect who had used mattress sheets to flee from jail, authorities mentioned.

Michael Burham, 34, was captured 9 days after he fled the Warren County jail within the late night hours of July 6 by climbing on train gear, going by way of a window and cutting down a rope usual from jail bedding, authorities mentioned.

A tip from residents in Conewango Township a few suspicious particular person got here in simply earlier than 4 p.m. Saturday, and Burham was in custody shortly earlier than 6 p.m. Saturday, mentioned Lt. Col. George Bivens, the deputy commissioner of Operations for the Pennsylvania State Police.

The residents went out to see why their canine was barking, went to the rear of their property and encountered Burham, who mentioned one thing about tenting throughout a quick dialog, Bivens mentioned.

“The proprietor of the property acknowledged him, bought his spouse again into the golf cart (they have been utilizing) and drove away from there so he might instantly contact us as Burham fled into the woods,” Bivens informed reporters Saturday evening. This occurred in an space during which searchers had been “pushing laborious,” Bivens mentioned.

“That is been our technique all alongside, is to push him laborious, to have him make a mistake — he lastly did,” Bivens mentioned.

Burham, tracked by way of the woods after that by searchers with the assistance of two canine, encountered troopers on a highway who have been a part of a fringe arrange, Bivens mentioned. He went inclined and tried to cover however was approached from behind by federal marshals, border patrol and state police and brought into custody at gunpoint, Bivens mentioned.

Burham seemed “drained and worn-out, as we thought he may” and was soiled and moist, nonetheless sporting his jail-issued pants turned inside out. Authorities didn’t discover a weapon they feared he had since ammunition had been present in small stockpiles linked to him by DNA, however the space was being searched to ensure he hadn’t hidden one, Bivens mentioned.

A number of hours earlier, Bivens had renewed a name for folks in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York to commonly assessment doorbell and surveillance digicam footage, and likewise as soon as once more urged folks to ensure autos, sheds, properties and the rest helpful to a fugitive is secured.

Burham has been in jail on $1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, housebreaking and different counts. Authorities warned whereas he was lacking that he was thought of armed and harmful. Greater than 200 state, federal and native officers took half within the seek for Burham, and as much as $22,000 in reward cash had been posted, Bivens mentioned.

Authorities have been nonetheless attempting to determine the place he can be held after arraignment, but it surely is not going to be the Warren County jail, the place an investigation into the escape is occurring.

An investigation continues into whether or not Burham acquired any help, and authorities will discuss to the county district legal professional in the event that they consider they’ve proof that warrants fees towards anybody, Bivens mentioned.

Bivens thanked residents of the county and the encircling space for his or her endurance throughout the manhunt.

“I do know they have been nervous, I do know they have been scared, however they remained gracious to all of our folks,” he mentioned. Authorities had feared some hurt may come to a citizen and even an officer within the hunt for Burham, who had “actually had little or no to lose,” he mentioned.

“To not have that play out, it is a good day,” Bivens mentioned.

District Lawyer Jason Schmidt, of Chautauqua County, New York, mentioned in June that Burham was the prime suspect within the Could 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a associated arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities additionally accused him of abducting an older couple in Pennsylvania whereas attempting to evade seize earlier than his arrest in South Carolina. New York officers mentioned they opted to let Pennsylvania deal with the preliminary prosecution as they probe the killing and arson.