'Worn out’ murder suspect arrested 'at gunpoint’ after nine-days on the run
An escaped inmate who led police on a nine-day manhunt for the homicide and arson suspect has been taken in custody "at gunpoint", according to authorities.
Pennsylvania prisoner Michael Burham, 34, escaped from Warren County Jail on July 6 by rappelling from the facility's roof using a rope he had constructed by tying bedsheets together. The army veteran and self-taught "survivalist" was considered "armed and dangerous."
It's thought he climbed on exercise equipment in order to reach the roof. While in the facility, he was not in the exercise yard at the time.
More than 200 federal state and local police officers from 15 agencies were involved in the huge search effort. Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens told a press conference that police were alerted to a "suspicious individual" in Cnewango Township just before 4pm on Saturday night, July 15.
Burham was described by law enforcement as a "survivalist" (Fox)
Burham was found still wearing his prison jumpsuit (AP)A homeowner heard his dog barking and so went out to investigate what had set the dog off. He looked in his backyard where he spotted Burham.
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The pair had a brief conversation, where Burham told the homeowner had was on a "camping trip", according to Lt Col Bivens. However, the homeowner immediately recognised the escaped prisoner and called police to tell them about the encounter.
State and local authorities came together, descending on the forest near Warren, Pennsylvania, and created a large perimeter around the location, including air and K-9 officer support. Police tracked him as he moved through the woods, where he tried to hide.
Burham was surrounded and taken into custody around 5.50pm. The inmate looked "tired" and "worn out" after he was arrested, according to Lt Col Bivens.
He was still wearing his orange prison jumpsuit, though it had been turned inside out. It's yet to be decided where he will be housed, but he won't be returning to the jail he busted out of more than a week ago.
Police found evidence in the woods that Burham had been hiding out (AP)Lt Col Bivens said his capture is a "great relief". He added: "All of us were always concerned that we would end up with a citizen harmed in some way, or even one of the officers harmed.
"You're always worried about things like that, so to not have that play out, it's a good day."
Authorities described Burham as a "survivalist" and discovered evidence of small stockpiles or campsites in wooded areas near Warren County. Residents in the area were urged to lock their doors and "remain vigilant".
A $7,500 reward was issued for information leading to the capture of Burham.
Burham was being held on 26 counts related to arson, kidnapping and burglary when he escaped. He is also under investigation over allegations of sexually assaulting and shooting Kala Hodgkin, his ex-girlfriend, of Jamestown, New York.
The charges in New York sparked an interstate crime spree that ended in his arrest in South Carolina after 11 days on the run in May. During this time he is accused of committing arson and kidnapping an elderly couple at gunpoint. Police have not yet said if he will face additional charges for the escape.
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