DANNEMORA, N.Y. — Investigators believe a prison employee had agreed to be the getaway driver in last weekend's escape by two convicted killers, but she didn't show up, a person close to the investigation told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person said that was one reason the manhunt was focused on the woods only a few miles from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility. The person was not authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
After a magically historic day at the @belmontstakes, never imagined I'd spend Sunday outside prison walls, just south of the Canadian border. A photo posted by @mjhunter19 on Jun 7, 2015 at 5:33pm PDT
David Sweat, 34, and Richard Matt, 48, used power tools to cut through steel and bricks and crawled through an underground steam pipe, emerging outside the 40-foot walls of the prison through a manhole, authorities said.
Search teams were following up on a lead that was developed late Wednesday, police said.
Schools were closed, and residents were warned to lock their doors.
Officers say they are picking up where they left off in the search, wooded area was marked by string #prisonbreakny pic.twitter.com/J89mUow2Yt— Vanessa Misciagna (@VanessaWPTZ) June 10, 2015
The hunt for the escaped inmates now involve more than 500 law enforcement personnel, along with K9 and aviation units, New York State Police said on Thursday.
#Developing Tactical vehicle just arrived to #Cadyville search area. Police presence here growing by the minute. pic.twitter.com/oRVo2i7POr— Don Champion (@DonChampionTV) June 11, 2015
Agencies involve include the FBI, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Department of Environmental Conservation, Forest Rangers, Clinton and Essex County Sheriff Departments, and the Plattsburgh Police Department.