Police not commenting on Frein letter; search continues

Posted 8/21/12

BLOOMING GROVE, PA — Pennsylvania State Police say they will not comment on a letter reportedly written by accused cop-killer Matthew Frein. The letter was reported by CNN on October 6, and quoted …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Police not commenting on Frein letter; search continues

Posted

BLOOMING GROVE, PA — Pennsylvania State Police say they will not comment on a letter reportedly written by accused cop-killer Matthew Frein. The letter was reported by CNN on October 6, and quoted law enforcement officials who were familiar with the nearly month-long search for Frein.

The network reported that while the letter was related to the September 12 shooting, it did not provide a motive for the attack, which killed one officer and wounded another, nor did the report say when or where the letter was recovered.

State police spokesman Thomas Kelly issued this statement about the report, “I am not commenting on evidence found unless it poses a threat to the community. I understand some networks are reporting information obtained through sources. This is the only official source and I cannot confirm anything reported by ‘sources.’”

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 officers continue the search for the 31-year-old Frein in the area between Pike and Monroe counties, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission has temporarily closed all hunting and trapping seasons in seven townships in the area.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough on September 30 issued an executive order to close temporarily the hunting and trapping seasons in Price, Barrett and Paradise townships in Monroe County; and Blooming Grove, Porter, Lehman and Greene townships in Pike County.

The closure affects all private and public lands, including the portions of State Game Lands 180, 183 and 221 located within those townships. Those portions of game lands are closed to all public access while the executive order is in effect.

Hunting and trapping seasons will remain closed in the townships until the executive order is lifted, which will be announced by the game commission in a statewide news release that will be posted on the agency’s website at the time it is issued.

The closure was initiated after the state police advised that troopers who are part of the search for Frein had uncovered explosive devices that apparently were left behind in wooded areas by the fugitive and would pose an obvious danger to anyone who would encounter them.

Hough said the discovery of the devices, and the danger associated with the search effort in general, would pose too great a risk to hunters, trappers and members of the general public if the hunting season remained open.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here