Fugitive Still At Large In Region
Precautionary 'Lock Down' At Schools Friday Morning

Ralph 'Bucky' Phillips

The widening search for fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips hit close to home Friday morning, when Emporium residents were buzzing about a suspicious individual, possibly carrying a weapon, being seen in the vicinity of the local school buildings.

While the odds were remote that the mystery man was Phillips, local officials weren't taking any chances. Police converged on the scene and the schools came under a lockdown as a search continued at press time.

Such is the state of the media frenzy and near-hysteria over the frightening notion of an alleged murderer on the loose -- one who continues to outfox the police and find sympathetic shelterers. Phillips now has a $425,000 price tag on his head, in the form of a reward for information leading to his capture.

Local police were quick to point out that they have no specific reason to believe that Phillips could be headed to Cameron County. However, they also cautioned that this area contains the kind of terrain he apparently prefers: remote, forested and dotted with unoccupied camps and other potential hideaways.

Police roadblocks have recently been set up in many communities, including Shinglehouse and Bradford. Several Pa. State Police substations and local police departments have been asked to help search for Phillips, who is almost certainly armed and dangerous.

The manhunt intensified last week when two New York State troopers were ambushed. Officer Joseph Longobardo, 32, died of his injuries on Sunday. The other, Donald Baker Jr., 38, is in serious condition. A third New York state trooper was wounded in June near Elmira. Police believe Phillips was the assailant of all three.

"Phillips is even more dangerous now that he faces homicide charges," said a New York State Police commander.

Six people face criminal charges for allegedly shelter- ing Phillips over the past few weeks, but any sentiment of him as a folk hero or innocent victim disappeared last week after the second assault of police officers.

Kane-based state police last week charged 31-yearold Todd Nelson of Ludlow with hindering apprehension for allegedly conspiring with Phillips to hide stolen weapons. Police recovered 33 of 41 guns at Nelson's home. Phillips is accused of that burglary. A car he apparently stole from Gerry, N.Y., was recovered nearby.

McKean County District Attorney James Pavlock cautioned area residents to be careful.

"This is a very dangerous situation," Pavlock said. "Phillips is a very dangerous person and anyone who helps him is putting others at risk."

Phillips has been on the run since escaping from a New York State Prison on April 2, days before he was due to be released.