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David Sweat, Richard Matt Spotted : Have New York escaped prisoners been spotted?.
The New York State Police is investigating possible sightings of two men in Steuben County near the New York/Pennsylvania border who may fit the description of Clinton Correctional Facility escapees and convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat, police said late Friday.
According to state police, witnesses spotted two men on Saturday, June 13 walking near the Gang Mills rail yard on Rita’s Way in the town of Erwin. The next day, two men with the same description were seen walking along County Route 115 in the town of Lindley, heading toward the Pennsylvania border.
Investigators were in both communities earlier in the week conducting interviews.
According to a press release sent on Saturday, state police are searching the area of a construction site in the town of Erwin.
Investigators have also obtained surveillance video of the two men, which was inconclusive. The video is being sent to Albany for further analysis.
Troopers say the sighting is unconfirmed, but residents who live in the area along the New York and Pennsylvania borders are asked to be on alert.
State police say to call 911 immediately if these men are spotted, and do not approach them, as both are considered to be dangerous.
A correction officer at the Clinton Correctional Facility has been placed on administrative leave as part of the ongoing investigation.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said in a brief statement that the officer was put on leave Friday night. The statement said no additional information was available.
Sweat and Matt used power tools to cut their way out of the maximum-security prison in Dannemora on June 6. Hundreds of police officers have been looking for them for the last two weeks.
If anyone has information regarding the escape, call 1-800-GIVETIP.
New York state is offering a reward of $50,000 for information that leads to the capture of either suspect, or $100,000 for both. The U.S. Marshals Service has placed Sweat and Matt on their 15 Most Wanted Fugitives List, and is also offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of either suspect.
Agencies/Canadajournal
