The search for two convicted killers has shifted back to Northern New York this morning, to an area not far from the Clinton Correctional Facility, from which the pair escaped a little more than two weeks ago. WBFO's Cheryl Hagen spoke with North Country Radio's Brian Mann Monday morning about the manhunt.
Law enforcement officials are scouring the Franklin County hamlet of Mountain View after a sighting of fugitives David Sweat and Richard Matt. This time though, there is reportedly forensic evidence indicating Sweat has been there.
Authorities say they discovered items in a cabin that may be linked to the two convicted murderers. The unidentified items have been sent to laboratories for DNA and other testing.
The shift follows an extensive weekend search in Allegany County after police received what they believed to be a credible tip but could not confirm the sighting.
State Trooper Michael Ceretto says a witness told police Saturday they spotted two men in an area near a railroad track runs through town of Friendship.
"She gave us a description that was in line with the two individuals who escaped from the correctional facility. Our investigators interviewed her thoroughly and we determined she was credible and this should be investigated."
Authorities added another 300 members of law enforcement to conduct the massive search.
Sweat and Matt drilled their way out of prison June 6.
Authorities, with guns drawn at times Sunday, were climbing into windows of some homes looking for the prisoners.
Matt was serving a 25-year-to-life sentenced for a gruesome murder of his boss in Niagara County. Sweat was serving a life sentenced for the murder of a Broome County Sheriff Deputy.