UPDATE: Search for prison escapees to expand

The New York State Police today announced today that the search for escaped inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat is expanding and shifting to other areas surrounding Dannemora.   Personnel will be redeployed to other areas based upon information gathered during the investigation. People in the region should expect to see law enforcement in their community as the search expands.

State Troopers, along with Officers and Forest Rangers from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Clinton, Franklin and Essex County Sheriff Departments and the Plattsburgh Police Department have searched over 16 square miles (10,228 acres) to date. All available assets continue to be deployed around the clock, including K9 and aviation units. More than 1,200 leads have been developed at this point in the investigation.

In connection with this redeployment, patrolling of Route 374 east of Dannemora will change. The section of Route 374 that was closed to traffic in Cadyville will reopen tonight. The road closed last Wednesday after New York State Police K9 units picked up the scent of both suspects at different locations in a heavily wooded area adjacent to the road. This area has been extensively searched, and evidence recovered suggests that the escaped inmates may have spent time there.  The ground search of this immediate area will be scaled back but patrols will continue. Law enforcement personnel previously manning the roadblocks along the closed section of Route 374 will be shifted to other sectors.

The agencies involved in the search want thank the entire community for their patience and ongoing support. The State Police also want to thank all of our state, federal and local law enforcement partners, who continue to provide much needed manpower, equipment and expertise for this effort.

The public should not hesitate to report any suspicious activity including any signs of a trespass, burglary or vehicle larceny. Contact 911, your local law enforcement agency, or the New York State Police to report any information related to this investigation at (518) 563-3761 or 1-800-GIVETIP. Tips can also be sent by email to crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

UPDATE: As part of the continuing effort in keeping the public informed, law enforcement are releasing progression photos of what the inmates may look like after 10 days.