Man Checking on Barking Dog Tips off Investigators, Leading to Michael Burham's Arrest
Jail escapee Michael Burham was taken into custody in Warren County on Saturday after nearly nine days on the run.
It came after troopers received a call just before 4 p.m. from a resident on Jackson Run Rd. in Conewango Township about a suspicious individual.
The man heard his dog barking and went out to check on it, according to Pennsylvania State Police who were leading the investigation.
He reportedly went to the back of his property where he encountered a man who told him during a brief conversation something about camping.
The man recognized it was Burham, got his wife back into their golf cart, drove away and immediately contacted police as Burham fled into the woods, investigators said.
Law enforcement participating in the search tracked Burham in the woods, and as he approached Logan Rd., he encountered troopers along the perimeter, according to investigators.
Troopers said Burham attempted to hide, but he was approached from behind from officers and canines. New York State Police had a bloodhound, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol had a search and patrol dog.
U.S. Marshals, Customs and Border Patrol and State Police troopers took him into custody at gunpoint.
"It's a great relief to all of us," said Lt. Col. George Bivens. "We're always concerned a citizen would be harmed in some way or even one of the officers harmed in one way."
When he was arrested, Burham was still wearing his prison pants turned inside out. Investigators said he was tired and dirty, worn out and had nothing in his immediate possession.
Investigators said Burham was taken to the State Police station in Warren to be interviewed, processed and arraigned.
State Police said he would not be taken back to the Warren County Jail. Erie News Now learned Burham has since been incarcerated at the Erie County Prison.
Investigators are still looking into any kind of assistance he received. They will also be searching the area where Burham was arrested to see if there is anything else he may have left behind.
Area where Burham was arrested
Watch the news conference
Youngsville mayor on Burham's capture
The escape
Burham escaped from the jail's recreation area around 11:20 p.m. July 6.
He reportedly used exercise equipment to scale the wall of the Warren County Jail and bedsheets to get over and down.
Since the escape, repairs have been ordered to the roof of the prison yard.
"The fundamental problem is that there was a structural weakness in the cage on the roof," said Jeff Eggleston, Warren County Commissioner, during a news conference on Wednesday.
Burham faces a felony escape charge for the incident.
Why was he outside so late at night? Investigators said each inmate is required by law to have a certain amount of yard time each day. Given the number of inmates, the number of space available and the number of staff, only a certain number of inmates can be out at any given time. To get everyone their time, there is a rotation from very early in the morning until late at night, so that the jail is in compliance with the law, and the inmates get the appropriate amount of outside exercise time, according to troopers.
His history
Burham faces charges in three states: New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
- Suspect in May 11 homicide of Jamestown, N.Y., woman Kala Hodgkin. Wanted on warrants for arson in a vehicle fire and rape.
- Charged with kidnapping an elderly Warren County couple who were dropped off in South Carolina.
- Arrested May 24 in South Carolina after nearly two weeks on the run.
- Charged July 7 with a felony count of escape from the Warren County Jail.