Police are pictured Friday morning at the New York-Pennsylvania state line. Authorities are searching for a man who escaped from the Warren County Jail Thursday afternoon. PJ photo by Eric Tichy
An inmate used tied sheets to help him escape from the Warren County Jail Thursday afternoon, officials confirmed at a news conference.
A multi-agency manhunt is underway for Michael C. Burham, the prime suspect in the May shooting death of a Jamestown woman and the kidnapping of a Warren County couple soon after .
Burham had been incarcerated at the Warren facility since June 19, when he was last seen around 11:20 p.m. Thursday. Warren police say he was wearing orange and white striped prison pants, a white T-shirt and a blue denim jacket with white letters on the back that read “Warren County Jail”.
Authorities have not said how Burham managed to escape from the jail, located on Market Street. However, Cecile Stelter, a spokeswoman, said Burham is not believed to have received any help while incarcerated.
His departure just weeks after entering the facility prompted urgent messages from Warren and Jamestown police for the public to be on the lookout.
“We ask all citizens to lock their doors and be vigilant.” Warren police said shortly after midnight Friday. The same message was later sent by the Jamestown Police Department
“We don’t know where he is at this time.”
In a brief news release Friday morning, Jamestown police asked the public to call 911 or the appropriate law enforcement agency if Burham is spotted. The department advised the public not to approach the suspect.
New York State Troopers and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies were checking vehicles Friday morning on Route 62 at the Pennsylvania-New York state line.
Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said the local concern lies with potential witnesses in New York, with efforts to ensure their safety and that of the community. Schmidt also said his office is awaiting test results before filing any charges against Burham in Chautauqua County.
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybel escorts Michael C. Burham to the Warren County Jail on June 19.
“I just want everyone to know that we are fully committed to this case,” said the DA.
Burham’s escape is the latest chapter in what has become a months-long saga. He is the prime suspect in the May 11 shooting death of Kala Hodgkin, 34, at her home on William Street in Jamestown. The former Chautauqua County resident is then accused of setting another woman’s car on fire in Jamestown.
More than a week after Hodgkin’s death, Burham allegedly kidnapped a Warren County couple from their home in Sheffield at gunpoint. Using his vehicle, he drove the couple to South Carolina.
The pair were found safe and Burham was eventually arrested after evading police for days by running through the woods. In June, he was extradited back to New York state where he went before a federal judge in Buffalo.
Burham had been transferred to Warren County on June 19. He was arraigned before District Judge Raymond Zydonik on three first-degree counts: two counts of kidnapping and one count of robbery; five other felonies: two counts of aggravated assault and one count of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass; 15 fouls; and three summary counts.
Each kidnapping charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000, the same as the theft charge. The aggravated assault charges carry a maximum of 10 years and a $25,000 fine each.
Burham has not yet been charged with any charges in Chautauqua County.
Meanwhile, the Warren County Courthouse previously announced it will be closed Friday as it is the command post for the search. Pennsylvania State Police are on the scene, as well as Customs and Border Protection agents.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jamestown Police Department’s tip line at 716-483-8477. All calls and tips will be kept confidential.
This is breaking news that will be updated.
Today’s news and more delivered to your inbox
