Evidence Of Stockpile Displayed As Search Hits One Week

YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. — The investigation into the escape of Michael Burham has received help from the public since the beginning.

More help is needed.

Pennsylvania State Police on Thursday released an image of one of the stockpiles that they believe are connected to Burham.

"We are releasing this as an example for the public," said Lt. Col. George Bivens, deputy commissioner of operations with the Pennsylvania State Police, so that those recreating outdoors this weekend know what to look for.

The stockpile was wrapped in a tarp and partially concealed under a log.

"It's meant to not be immediately visible to someone walking by," Bivens said.

But should people even feel comfortable being out in the woods during this manhunt? "I think so," Bivens said. "If I could articulate for you that I thought there was a tremendous risk to anyone out there in the woods, I would do that. I would advise people not to come here."

He detailed the search effort in 2014 for now-convicted cop killer Eric Frein, where portions of the forest were closed at times. "We don't hesitate to do that if we have strong enough information to believe there is that level of threat," Bivens said.

Investigators continue to believe that Burham is in this general area. Bivens said the stockpile in the photo was "found in the general area of the City of Warren, outside of the City of Warren in a wooded area, not far."

The stockpile contained clothing, food and, he explained, "some other materials that someone might need if they were trying to exist in the woods. … We do believe this one was his. We are confident that this was his."

Bivens declined to detail what "outside of the City of Warren" means but explained why he can't be more specific at this point in the investigation.

"Some particular day we might be a half mile outside of the city," he said. Other days it might be five miles and other further still. "(I) don't want to give a false sense of security. The search area is constantly changing to some extent because there are new areas we have to search, areas we are very much focused on."

He also wouldn't identify how many stockpiles were found but said that number is more than one.

One "very significant" lead led to a response just outside of the city.

"Unfortunately, it did not lead us to Burham," Bivens said. "Fortunately, the outcome was not what we originally thought" – someone had reported a kidnapping and stolen vehicle.

"We were running that down very quickly and aggressively," he added. "Fortunately, it turned out that was not the case."

The collective reward for information leading to an arrest has increased to $22,000 and the tip line to the command center in Youngsville is (717) 265-9650.

Burham is the prime suspect in the May 11 shooting death of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin inside her William Street home in Jamestown. Afterward, the former Chautauqua County resident is accused of setting fire to another woman's car in Jamestown.

More than a week after Hodgkin's death, Burham allegedly kidnapped a Warren County couple from their Sheffield home at gunpoint. Using their vehicle, he drove the pair to South Carolina.

The couple was found safe, and Burham was eventually taken into custody after eluding 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 moved to Warren County on June 19.

Bivens' message to Burham was clear: "You need to surrender. Don't do anything foolish that gets anyone else hurt…. This just needs to end.

His response was also clear to a question that highlighted his survival skills and his potential view of this as a game where he's trying to stay one step ahead.

"I believe he thinks he has a lot of skills," Bivens said. "We'll see."