Manhunt for fugitive Michael Burham intensifies

Investigators involved in the full-scale manhunt for an arsonist and homicide suspect who busted out of a Pennsylvania prison last week are closing in on him, experts predict.

Self-taught “survivalist” Michael Burham, escaped from the Warren County Jail in Pennsylvania last Thursday by rappelling from the facility’s roof using a rope he had fashioned by tying bed-sheets together, according to an affidavit obtained by the Erie-Times News. 

150 people are involved in the search and likely gaining ground on the wanted man as he leaves behind “breadcrumbs,” including campsites and small supply stockpiles, a former US Marshals Service boss told The Post. 

“They’re chasing a ghost right now,” said Lenny DePaul, a now-retired commander of the US Marshals Service’s (USMS) New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

But “he’s dropping breadcrumbs. That’s a good thing — those are mistakes on his behalf.” 

“He could be a survivalist, but so are the US Marshals,” DePaul added. “Once that noose starts tightening and they make that mistake, it’s all over.”

Police previously described Burham, 34, as a “self-taught survivalist with military training.”

As the search, which is nearing its fifth night, intensifies, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said investigators “will force him to make a mistake.”

“And when he does, we will use that to our advantage,” Bivens, PSP’s deputy commissioner of operations told reporters. 

Searchers have discovered campsites and small “stockpiles of supplies” leading investigators to believe Burham remains in the Warren, Pennsylvania, area and its neighboring states, PSP official said.

The “armed and dangerous” inmate was being held on 26 counts related to arson, kidnapping and burglary charges, when he escaped. 

He is also under investigation in homicide and rape cases in Jamestown, New York, according to police there.

As of Monday, state and federal officers, including those from the US Marshals Service, are searching for Burham.

DePaul, who is not involved in the manhunt, said the investigators likely began their probe into Burham’s whereabouts right away Thursday with what he called a “choke point,” where searchers simultaneously scoured an area for the inmate. 

“You gotta go back to the scene of the crime — how did he escape, what did he escape with?” DePaul said.

Creating a “footprint,” by looking at Burham’s recent history, interviewing inmates and going through Burham’s call records, could shed light on his plan, he said. 

“What he’s attempting to do — to stay off the grid, to stay dark – we’re ahead of the curve on that stuff,” he said, speaking about the USMS and other law enforcement embroiled in the intense search. 

“He needs provisions, he needs to survive,” he went on. “He’s used to being in the wilderness and surviving off the land … [but] that can only go so far.”

Burham remains a suspect in connection with the May 11 death of a Kala Hodgkin in New York whom he had previously been accused of raping, according to the Erie-Times News. He then reportedly led police on a previous near two-week chase before being captured on May 24.

Jamestown is roughly 20 miles from the Warren County Jail.

Police have said they have no reason to believe reports of recent break-ins nearby, including one where a residents’ dog was killed and clothes were stolen, were connected to Burham. 

DePaul, who has hunted fugitives over three decades in manhunts that taken him across the globe, said investigators have likely working to determine whether Burham is in contact with anyone while “laying low.” 

Investigators believe someone is helping him, and are offering a reward of up to $9,500 for information regarding his whereabouts. 

“I call it adult hide-and-seek,” he added. They’re pretty good at it, but we’re better … You can run, but you can’t hide. When you run, you only go, in his case, back to jail tired.” 

Burham was last seen wearing a blue denim jacket, an orange and white striped jumpsuit and orange shoes, but investigators believe he likely changed his clothes.

Officials are asking anyone with information to call 814-728-3600.