After Day Long Search Madison Police Capture Possibly 'Armed and Dangerous' Wanted Suspect: UPDATE

MADISON, CT — Madison police have arrested a wanted and possibly armed man who fled into the woods 7 a.m. Friday morning and who had been on the run for almost 12 hours before police captured him this evening, according to town officials.

While police officers from several towns searched for the suspect, schools were impacted as they were locked down and transportation was delayed for an hour as police ensured it was safe for buses to take the students home. All of the students were home safely by 4:45 p.m. school officials said.

The accused, who was apprehended, is Francis Peter Sumner, 51, who fled from a stolen vehicle in Madison at 7 a.m. Friday. He is wanted on robbery charges in Ohio and Michigan, officials said.

Police on Friday morning said he is "considered armed and dangerous." Residents were urged to stay indoors with doors and windows locked.

Madison police said they took Sumner into custody after a nearly twelve hour manhunt just before 7 p.m. Sumner is a fugitive from justice from both Missouri and Ohio, and he is wanted for a carjacking in Ohio and a probation violation in Missouri.

"The Madison Police Department would like to thank the individuals who notified the Madison Police Department of the suspicious vehicle and the individual who notified the department about the suspicious person, which ultimately led to Sumner being taken into custody," said Capt. Joseph Race. "We would also like to thank the members of the public for their cooperation during this event. "

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Race thanked several police departments that assisted in the search for Sumner including: Clinton, Guilford, East Haven, North Haven, Branford, North Branford, Waterford, Water Authority Police Department, State Environmental Conservation Police, Old Saybrook and Connecticut State Police.

Police also thanked Madison Emergency Medical Service, North Madison Volunteer Fire Company, Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Sumner is charged with interfering with an officer, first-degree larceny, fugitive from justice and he is being held without bond. He will appear in Superior Court, New Haven on Tuesday.

Madison Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice said he had visited several schools that were in the process of dismissing Friday afternoon and everything ran "very smoothly."

"At 4:42 we were informed that all buses had completed their runs and that all students were safely transported home or dismissed to their parent/guardian," Scarice said. "We would like to thank (parents) for your patience and understanding as we took the precautionary measures recommended by the Madison Police Department today to ensure the safety of our students."

He said the School Resource Officers were present at the schools to help during the day and during dismissal time. Afternoon dismissal was delayed about an hour for schools as police wanted to double check to ensure the area was safe for buses.

Scarice said parents have been extremely understanding and concur that the students were safest inside the locked schools while police searched for the suspect. He said in talking with parents they were relieved at how the district handled the situation.

Scarice in a 2 p.m. update said that a team of administrators and staff remained at each school until each student has been dismissed.

"At no time will your child be without adult supervision. You may pick up your child," Sscarice said in the early afternoon. "Beach and Rec after care will resume as regularly scheduled. Brown Middle School after school programs and intramurals have been cancelled. Other schools will resume normal after school activities. Thank you for your patience in this matter."

He said the police department informed school officials Friday morning that officers were in pursuit of a potentially dangerous person.

"The concern is currently limited to North Madison. As a result of a Police recommendation, all schools have been alerted and we have placed Ryerson Elementary School, and Brown Middle School on modified lockdown," Scarice said earlier on Friday. "Modified lockdown means that all students remain inside the building until further notice. As a part of our normal safety protocol, exterior doors are always locked. Additionally, our School Resource Officer and School Safety Officer have been assigned to the Ryerson / Brown campus."

According to the Department of Corrections in Missouri, Sumner is wanted out of Missouri for tampering with a motor vehicle and burglary charges. He was recently under the supervision of the Department of Corrections in Northeast Correctional Center, Missouri. He was sentenced in Pike County, Bowling Green, according to records.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for additional updates.

Original story:

MADISON, CT — Police are asking residents to remain inside as they search for a man who fled into the woods on Route 80 and Walnut Hill Road, WTNH News 8 reports.

Police pulled the man over Friday morning as he is wanted in another state, and then the man fled on foot.

Police don't know if the man is armed and are asking residents in the area to stay indoors, News 8 reports.

Two schools are in lockdown: Brown Middle School and Ryerson Elementary School, Fox 61 reports.

If you see anything suspicious call 911, police said.

NBC Connecticut reports that the suspect jumped out of an RV and into the woods. Besides police K-9, an aircraft is also searching the area.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.

Image via the Madison Police Department