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New York prison killer fugitives 'now in Vermont' Police dogs have 'detected evidence' of US fugitives
(about 20 hours later)
Two convicted murderers on the run for five days after breaking out of prison in New York may now have fled to Vermont, investigators believe. Police bloodhounds have found where David Sweat and Richard Matt may have spent the night after they escaped from prison six days ago.
David Sweat and Richard Matt cut their way out of prison using power tools. Food wrappers and other evidence were discovered in the woods nearby the prison according to US media reports.
Police believe the men thought Vermont would be a "cooler" destination with fewer officers on their tail, said the state's governor, Peter Shumlin. Police have been receiving hundreds of tips from the public, and a sighting has been reported in Philadelphia.
Vermont officials said the north-eastern US state was working to get the "dangerous men" locked up. "Follow every lead you have" Governor Andrew Cuomo told police as the search extended into Vermont.
"Follow every lead you have", said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, addressing some of the 450 officers involved in the search.
"Follow them as if it's the lead that's going to break the case. I am confident we are going to find them, the only question is when.""Follow them as if it's the lead that's going to break the case. I am confident we are going to find them, the only question is when."
The manhunt in northern New York and surrounding areas has now extended to campsites and boat slips in neighbouring Vermont.The manhunt in northern New York and surrounding areas has now extended to campsites and boat slips in neighbouring Vermont.
Mr Shumlin and Mr Cuomo held a joint press conference outside the maximum security prison from where the man escaped, Clinton Correctional Facility. Mr Shumlin and Mr Cuomo held a joint press conference outside the maximum security prison from where the men escaped, Clinton Correctional Facility.
"New York was going to be hot. Vermont would be cooler, in terms of law enforcement," Mr Shumlin said, referring to the unspecified information about the men's whereabouts."New York was going to be hot. Vermont would be cooler, in terms of law enforcement," Mr Shumlin said, referring to the unspecified information about the men's whereabouts.
Rainstorms have have complicated efforts by masking scents detectable by search dogs and forcing officers to wade through swamps.
Officials at the Saranac Central School District, less than a mile from the prison, closed schools on Thursday "in order to assist law enforcement personnel with their search efforts, and due to the closure of a number of roads".
Police are also interviewing a cab driver in Philadelphia, who says he may have given a ride to the men early on Thursday morning.
Philadelphia is about 400 miles (645 km) from the prison.
Police have received hundreds of tips from the public, but the Philadelphia police commissioner says there is no reason to believe Sweat and Matt are in the city.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that they had interviewed "one woman in particular" who may have befriended the inmates and had a role in their escape, but would not go into detail.Police confirmed on Wednesday that they had interviewed "one woman in particular" who may have befriended the inmates and had a role in their escape, but would not go into detail.
That woman "may had had some role in assisting them", said New York state police superintendent Joseph D'Amico.That woman "may had had some role in assisting them", said New York state police superintendent Joseph D'Amico.
An unnamed source told CNN earlier that woman is Joyce Mitchell, who worked at the prison tailor shop. Sources close to the investigations have named that woman as Joyce Mitchell, who worked at the prison tailor shop.
She had planned to pick up Matt, 48 and Sweat, 34, after they escaped but changed her mind at the last minute.She had planned to pick up Matt, 48 and Sweat, 34, after they escaped but changed her mind at the last minute.
Ms Mitchell has not been arrested or charged, and her son has said his mother would not have helped the prisoners escape.Ms Mitchell has not been arrested or charged, and her son has said his mother would not have helped the prisoners escape.
Matt was given a jail term of 25 years to life for beating a man to death in 1997.Matt was given a jail term of 25 years to life for beating a man to death in 1997.
Sweat was serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of Broome County Sheriff's Deputy, Kevin Tarsia.Sweat was serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of Broome County Sheriff's Deputy, Kevin Tarsia.