An inmate suspected of multiple crimes, including the murder of a New York woman, escaped from a Pennsylvania prison using sheets tied together, sparking a massive multi-agency manhunt and warnings of officials that he is “very dangerous” and should not be approached.
Michael Charles Burham, 34, was discovered missing from the Warren County Jail recreation area early Friday morning. He “climbed” on exercise equipment and left the yard through a metal roof, Warren County spokeswoman Cecile Stelter said at a Friday afternoon news conference. He then used sheets that he tied together to get down on the floor.
Staff realized Burham disappeared within minutes of his escape, Stelter said, noting he was under video surveillance while in the recreation area.
“He is considered dangerous by his past actions,” she said. “And the public is asked not to approach him, but if they see anything unusual to call 911.”
Warren authorities said on Saturday Burham’s whereabouts were unknown and the search had extended beyond the town. Stelter said Burham had “survival skills” and was comfortable living in wooded areas.
Warren police asked residents to check their security cameras for any possible sightings of Burham, who was wearing a jail-issued blue denim coat, white and orange pants and orange shoes when he escaped.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious,” police said on Facebook. “Burham is considered dangerous and should not be approached. Please call 911 immediately if spotted.”
More than 10 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are participating in the manhunt.
Burham was being held at the jail, located about 11 miles from New York’s southwest border, in connection with a burglary and arson, according to Stelter. He is also accused of kidnapping a Warren County couple and is suspected in the May 11 murder of Kala Hodgkin, of Jamestown, New York.
A federal criminal complaint alleges that Hodgkin was found fatally shot in his home. At the time of the murder, there was an active arrest warrant charging Burham with raping the woman, according to the complaint.
While police were on their way to Hodgkin’s home, a separate call came in saying Burham allegedly tried to break into an ex-girlfriend’s house and then set her car on fire, the complaint alleges. .
Burham fled, leading authorities on a multi-state manhunt before his May 24 capture in South Carolina, the Jamestown Police Department in New York said. During the search, Burham is accused of kidnapping a couple at gunpoint from their home in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, according to the complaint. They were found alive in a cemetery in North Charleston, South Carolina. In their vehicle was a note allegedly written by Burham telling his father he was ‘safe at this time’ and apologizing ‘for all the trouble I have caused the family’, says the complaint.
This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com