Reward Increases $10K For Escaped PA Fugitive Michael Burham

WARREN COUNTY, PA — Another $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the capture of a man with a violent criminal history who escaped from a jail in northern Pennsylvania last week.

Investigators remain convinced that Michael C. Burham, 34, is in the Warren County vicinity but have been fielding tips "from out of state." On Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police said they have additional reasons to believe he is armed, based on what they have found and the investigative leads provided.

The total reward money is now $19,500, as more than 15 local, state, and federal agencies are involved in the manhunt.

State Police have not defined the exact search perimeter, but said it includes "this area of northwestern Pennsylvania" and the Allegheny State Forest, and possibly into southern New York. Authorities are continuing to find items that they believe are connected to him, said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the State Police.

Burham escaped from the Warren County Jail Thursday night and should be considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. He was being held on a $1 million bond for kidnapping, burglary, and other charges, according to state police.

Officials ask residents to be alert and secure their homes, vehicles, and weapons. Bivens said that more than 200 local, state, and federal officers are involved in the search.

Officials said Burham escaped by climbing on exercise equipment, going through a window, and using tied-together bed sheets as a rope. He has military training and is a "self-taught survivalist" who could potentially be holed up in a wooded area, state police said. Nearby residents should call 911 if they see him, and not attempt to apprehend Burham themselves.

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 him a place to hide, officials have said. Authorities have searched numerous residences, abandoned structures and wooded areas using K-9 units and aerial resources such as drones and aircraft.

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. So far, no link to him had been confirmed, Bivens said.

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

The addition of the $10,000 reward posted by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has raised the total reward money in the case to $19,500. 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.

When questioned about the response time after the prison escape, Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybell said city police were on the scene almost immediately.

“I would say that Burham saw red and blue lights within two minutes of leaving that jail. They were that close,” Zeybell said. Correction officers were in the parking lot within two minutes, he added, and said “the response time couldn’t have been any quicker.”

District Attorney Jason Schmidt of Chautauqua County, New York, said last month that Burham is the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown.

Authorities also accuse him of abducting an elderly couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina.

This story contains reporting from the Associated Press.