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Eric Matthew Frein, alleged cop killer and ‘most wanted’ fugitive, is in custody Captured: Eric Matthew Frein, alleged cop killer and ‘most wanted’ fugitive
(35 minutes later)
A massive 48-day manhunt for survivalist Eric Matthew Frein ended Thursday evening at an abandoned rural airport in Monroe County, Pa., some 40 miles from the state police barracks where he allegedly ambushed two state troopers, killing one and seriously injuring the other. After Frein was captured, police used the slain trooper’s handcuffs to secure him.A massive 48-day manhunt for survivalist Eric Matthew Frein ended Thursday evening at an abandoned rural airport in Monroe County, Pa., some 40 miles from the state police barracks where he allegedly ambushed two state troopers, killing one and seriously injuring the other. After Frein was captured, police used the slain trooper’s handcuffs to secure him.
Officials said the U.S. Marshals Service had a team at the airport Thursday as part of a regular routine in the search for Frein. Marshals saw him and ordered him to surrender. He knelt down, raised his hands and admitted his identity. Frein was then transported to the barracks in Blooming Grove, Pa. — the alleged scene of the crime — and turned over to state police. Officials said the U.S. Marshals Service had a team at the airport Thursday as part of a regular routine in the search for Frein. Marshals saw him and ordered him to surrender. He knelt down, raised his hands and admitted his identity. Frein was then transported to the barracks in Blooming Grove, Pa. — the scene of the alleged crime — and turned over to state police.
Frein has been charged with ambushing two troopers outside the barracks Sept. 12, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding trooper Alex Douglass. Since then, he has been hiding in the woods surrounding the Pocono Mountains. Frein has been charged with ambushing two troopers outside the barracks on Sept. 12, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding trooper Alex Douglass. Since then, he has been hiding in the woods in the Pocono Mountains.
“He was placed under arrest and handcuffed with the handcuffs of Cpl. Dickson, which I think is very appropriate,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said at a late-night news conference. Frein was then loaded into Dickson’s squad car. “He was placed under arrest and handcuffed with the handcuffs of Cpl. Dickson, which I think is very appropriate,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) said at a late-night news conference. Frein was then loaded into Dickson’s squad car.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said Frein, 31, was captured near an old hanger at the now-defunct Birchwood-Pocono Airpark, where authorities found a rifle and a pistol. Noonan said the suspect was “taken by surprise” and arrested without incident. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said Frein, 31, was captured near an old hangar at the now-defunct Birchwood-Pocono Airpark, where authorities found a rifle and a pistol. Noonan said the suspect was “taken by surprise” and arrested without incident.
On Frein’s FBI’s wanted poster, it now reads, “captured.” Frein’s FBI’s wanted poster now reads: “Captured.”
A WBRE-TV reporter tweeted reportedly the first photo of Frein in custody. A WBRE-TV reporter tweeted what was said to be the first photo of Frein in custody.
Frein photo from State Police source. pic.twitter.com/Usa7DRH2jc — Andy Mehalshick (@AndyMehalshick) October 30, 2014Frein photo from State Police source. pic.twitter.com/Usa7DRH2jc — Andy Mehalshick (@AndyMehalshick) October 30, 2014
Frein photo from State Police source. pic.twitter.com/Usa7DRH2jc — Andy Mehalshick (@AndyMehalshick) October 30, 2014Frein photo from State Police source. pic.twitter.com/Usa7DRH2jc — Andy Mehalshick (@AndyMehalshick) October 30, 2014
More than 1,000 law enforcement officers have been involved in the search for Frein, a survivalist who has been eluding police for more than six weeks. Thursday night, Noonan said the reason Frein’s capture took so long was because the wooded search area was vast and Frein was completely familiar with it. He said police “had to be very careful” how they searched it. More than 1,000 law enforcement officers were involved in the search for Frein, a survivalist who eluded police for more than six weeks. On Thursday night, Noonan said the reason Frein’s capture took so long was because the wooded search area was vast and Frein was completely familiar with it. He said police “had to be very careful” how they searched.
Noonan said police knew that at one point Frein had a sniper rifle, handgun and explosive charges with him. Noonan said police knew that, at one point, Frein had a sniper rifle, handgun and explosive charges with him.
“I can’t think of a more dangerous occupation than going into the woods after this individual,” he said. “Eric Frein had a mission and that was to attack law enforcement. If he got out of those woods, we were very concerned that he would then kill other law enforcement and, if not them, civilians. That’s why we had to keep the pressure on.” “I can’t think of a more dangerous occupation than going into the woods after this individual,” Noonan said. “Eric Frein had a mission and that was to attack law enforcement. If he got out of those woods, we were very concerned that he would then kill other law enforcement and, if not them, civilians. That’s why we had to keep the pressure on.”
At one point, police suspected Frein may have been treating the massive manhunt as a game with law enforcement officers, who would catch glimpses of him before he would disappear again into the woods. Police found several items he reportedly left behind, including military-style food packs, pipe bombs, ammunition and clothing. At one point, police suspected Frein was treating the massive manhunt as a game with law enforcement officers, who would catch glimpses of him before he would disappear again into the woods. Police found several items he reportedly left behind, including military-style food packs, pipe bombs, ammunition and clothing.
Police also found his trash, including some empty packs of cigarettes and soiled diapers. The FBI later said DNA testing on the diapers was inconclusive since they had been exposed to the elements.Police also found his trash, including some empty packs of cigarettes and soiled diapers. The FBI later said DNA testing on the diapers was inconclusive since they had been exposed to the elements.
Later, officers discovered a handwritten journal, reportedly written by Frein, and it included what police described as a “cold-blooded and absolutely chilling account” of the Sept. 12 ambush. Earlier this month, State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens read passages from the pages at a news conference, starting with a description of Dickson’s death. Later, officers discovered a handwritten journal, reportedly written by Frein, that included what police described as a “cold-blooded and absolutely chilling account” of the Sept. 12 ambush. Earlier this month, State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens read passages from the pages at a news conference, starting with a description of Dickson’s death.
“Got a shot around 11 p.m. and took it,” Bivens read. “He dropped. I was surprised at how quick. I took a follow-up shot on his head, neck area. He was still and quiet after that.” “Got a shot around 11 p.m. and took it,” Bivens read. “He dropped. I was surprised at how quick. I took a follow-up shot on his head, neck area. He was still and quiet after that.
“Another cop approached the one I just shot,” he continued, explaining how Douglass entered the scene. “As he went to kneel, I took a shot at him and he jumped in the door. His legs were visible and still.”“Another cop approached the one I just shot,” he continued, explaining how Douglass entered the scene. “As he went to kneel, I took a shot at him and he jumped in the door. His legs were visible and still.”
Frein, of Canadensis, Pa., is charged with first-degree murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, first-degree attempted murder, possession of weapons of mass destruction, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and reckless endangerment. Authorities said they would seek the death penalty.Frein, of Canadensis, Pa., is charged with first-degree murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, first-degree attempted murder, possession of weapons of mass destruction, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and reckless endangerment. Authorities said they would seek the death penalty.
The manhunt unnerved nearby communities. Several schools closed in northeastern Pennsylvania last week as police investigated a possible sighting of the suspect.The manhunt unnerved nearby communities. Several schools closed in northeastern Pennsylvania last week as police investigated a possible sighting of the suspect.
Barrett Township authorities had canceled Halloween activities. Since Frein’s capture, Halloween is now back on. Barrett Township authorities had canceled Halloween activities. Since Frein has been captured, Halloween is now back on.
Even a local resident claimed this month that he has been mistaken for Frein by state troopers more than 20 times. Even a local resident claimed this month he has been mistaken for Frein by state troopers more than 20 times.
At the news conference late Thursday night, Corbett told reporters that Frein’s capture has been a long time coming. At the news conference late Thursday night, Corbett told reporters Frein’s capture has been a long time coming.
“To the family of trooper Dickson, to the family of trooper Douglass and to trooper Douglass, let me assure you from everybody here, justice will be served,” he said.“To the family of trooper Dickson, to the family of trooper Douglass and to trooper Douglass, let me assure you from everybody here, justice will be served,” he said.
Abby Phillip contributed to this report.Abby Phillip contributed to this report.
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