Posted on 09/06/2006 6:54:15 PM PDT by Pharmboy
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips, suspected of killing one state trooper and wounding two others, may have spent 11 days hiding out in a western Pennsylvania home last month, slipping back into New York at least once to steal 41 guns from a gun shop, authorities said Wednesday.
As New York State Police searched the woods of Chautauqua County for Phillips at the end of August, he was staying - at least some of the time - at the home of Todd Allen Nelson in Ludlow, Pa., Pennsylvania state police said Wednesday.
Nelson, 30, was arrested Aug. 31 and charged with hindering the apprehension of Phillips after Pennsylvania troopers recovered 35 guns believed stolen from the Ellington, N.Y., gun shop at his McKean County home.
Phillips is the main suspect in the gun shop break-in, which occurred Aug. 26 or Aug. 27. In all, 41 guns, including 35 handguns and six long guns, were taken. Among the long guns stolen was a Mossberg shotgun, and five rifles: A Bushmaster Shorty, a Century Arms WASR-10, a CETME Sporter, a DPMS AR-15 and a Remington 7400, made for deer hunting. "We know now that a total of 35 firearms are in the custody of law enforcement," said ATF spokesman Joseph Green.
"The remaining weapons are two pistols, one shotgun, and three high-powered rifles that are still unaccounted for and we are actively seeking those weapons and seeking information."
Investigators are looking into whether one of the stolen guns was used in the shooting of two New York state troopers on Aug. 31 in the Chautauqua County town of Pomfret as they staked out the home of Phillips' former girlfriend.
Trooper Joseph Longobardo died Sunday; Donald Baker Jr. has been in critical condition since the shooting. Both troopers were struck with bullets from a high-powered rifle.
Nelson is accused of harboring Phillips at his home, about 20 miles south of the state line, between Aug. 17 and Aug. 28, Pennsylvania Trooper Bruce Morris said.
The search for Phillips, a career thief who broke out of an Erie County jail in April, has become one of the largest in New York history, with nearly 300 troopers and officers from numerous other agencies combing the rural and heavily wooded Chautauqua County and conducting traffic checkpoints along rambling country backroads.
Authorities believe Phillips has been helped by numerous people since his escape, but has also broken into unoccupied hunting cabins in New York and Pennsylvania and stolen about 15 cars to remain one step ahead of police, authorities said.
He is suspected of shooting a state trooper near Elmira June 10 as the officer approached the stolen car he was believed to be driving. Trooper Sean Brown survived.
Nelson was the seventh person arrested for allegedly helping Phillips. He was in McKean County Jail Wednesday, with bail set at $25,000, Warden Tim Woodruff said. He was also being held on a detainer from Stockton Town Court in Chautauqua County, accused of criminal possession of stolen property.
A woman who answered the phone at Nelson's house hung up when an Associated Press reporter identified herself. A $225,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Phillips' arrest and conviction.
Silly rabbit...
What is it about this guy that everyone wants to help him?
What is it about this guy that everyone wants to help him?
I can't figure that out either, other than a criminal subculture in those woods. Very strange.
No argument from me, friend...
I couldn't resist.
Supposedly this guy from PA was friends with Bucky from before the incident.
http://www.post-journal.com/articles.asp?articleID=6507
‘‘Pretty much what’s happening, when it comes to Phillips, we’re trading information back and forth with New York state police and other organizations involved as far as potential sightings, areas he might frequent, people he knows,’’ Morris said. ‘‘Todd Nelson was a acquaintance of Phillips. That information was traded back and forth.’’
Oh okay. I was wondering. I know the media doesn't always cover the local ins and out of a situation. From what I read the guy gun downed the trooper without thought.
Just to clarify, the trooper(s) that Bucky shot ("allegedly," whatever), was without thought. The man that harbored him from PA was friends with Bucky.
Ludlow is a blur on the highway in the middle of the National Forest. Good people, mostly working in lumber and/or oil & gas.
This guy is most likely an idiot who had no idea his buddy was a fugitive or had no idea the consequences of harboring him.
ON FURTHER REVIEW...
Okay, so the guy is a fellow perp...NO ONE is that stupid.
PHILLIPS CAUGHT!! 8:00 PM
Awesome!! Thanks for the ping, friend...
Ralph "Bucky" Phillips Caught
Ralph "Bucky" Phillips, suspected of shooting three New York state troopers - one of whom later died - was captured Friday night after more than five months on the run, New York State Police Inv. Gary Colon said.
Colon said Phillips gave himself up after being surrounded near the New York/Pennsylvania border.
Phillips is accused of shooting three state troopers, Shawn Brown and Donald Baker Jr., and Joseph Longobardo. Trooper Longobardo died due to his wounds.
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