Alleged Bucks Co. Child Rapist May Be Camping Along Canal

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — An alleged child rapist who has been on the run since last week stole a car, and he could be camping along the Delaware River canal, authorities said Wednesday.

David Hamilton Jr. may be camping along the canal in the New Hope/Lamberville area, authorities from Lower Southampton, Solebury, and the U.S. Marshals said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. He may be using a white tent with a red top.

Hamilton, a 47-year-old Trevose resident, is wanted by Lower Southampton Police on 12 child sex assault charges, including child rape. A warrant for Hamilton's arrest was issued on Sept. 19.

Authorities are desperately trying to find the stolen car, a white 2016 Toyota Avalon, which they hope will lead them to Hamilton. The car was taken from a residence on Bobwhite Road in Solebury Township within the last 24 hours, police said. Authorities allege an elderly woman's caregiver, who had contact with Hamilton in the past, had given him cover since Friday evening.

The stolen car has PA registration PD3759P. "If vehicle or Hamilton is observed contact 911 immediately," Solebury Township Police said in an alert.

Police issued this photo of the stolen car. It is not the actual car, but this is what it looks like:

Police are also asking residents who may have seen a white and red tent in the woods anytime in the last week to call them.

Police now say Hamilton, a 20-year Army veteran with cavalry and ordinance experience, is presumed to be armed. He is described as standing 5’11” and weighing 180 pounds. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, tan cargo pants and sneakers.

Hamilton has been eluding police since early Friday, Sept. 21.

Just after midnight on that day, he was spotted crossing the Calhoun Street Bridge from Morrisville into Trenton, NJ. At that point, he was on a bike. Police across the county were on high alert, and special attention was placed on areas near the Delaware River and canal towpath on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river.

Later Friday, he was seen in the area of Stoney Hill Road in Solebury. A manhunt began, and area residents were asked to shelter in place. A New Hope Borough Police officer made contact with him, at which point Hamilton tried unsuccessfully to steal the officer's weapon. He is now wanted for the aggravated assault of a police officer in connection with that incident.

His backpack, personal items, wallet, cash, and credit cards were recovered after the interaction with the New Hope police officer, police said. Following that interaction, police continued to search for him throughout the night and into Saturday morning.

Police said he was last seen at the residence in the 200 block of Bobwhite Road, in the Fox Run Preserve community in Solebury.

The U.S. Marshals released a photo of him leaving the Oxford Valley Target on Sept. 15 with a tent and a sleeping bag.

“Serving warrants on sex offenders is a top priority of the Marshals Service and we intend to use every resource available to locate and apprehend Mr. Hamilton," said U.S. Marshals Supervisory Deputy Robert Clark.

The Marshals Service is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information leading directly to the arrest of Hamilton. Tips can be called into the U.S. Marshals Tipline at 1-866-865-TIPS(8477).

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