Vermont State Police are pledging their full support to their counterparts in New York in the search for two escaped killers who busted out of the correctional facility in Dannemora, New York, this weekend.
The announcement came as new investigative information surfaced Wednesday that Richard Matt and David Sweat may have been plotting to head to Vermont, or at least through Vermont, in their brazen dash to freedom.
"It's insane," said Julia Bromley of Grand Isle, Vermont. "Scary; and worrisome."
Theoretically, the men may have crossed Lake Champlain on a ferry, a borrowed or stolen boat, or via the bridge from Rouses Point, New York to Alburgh, Vermont. However, there have been no reported sightings of them in Vermont. Nor is there any evidence they actually followed through on their Vermont idea.
"It's not good," said Pamela Shambo of Alburgh, Vermont. "It puts more lives in danger. Both are murderers, so you don't know what they're going to do."
Wednesday night, Vermont State Police troopers out of the New Haven barracks went to area businesses distributing flyers and informing residents of the convicted murderers' possible plan.
Matt and Sweat are considered very dangerous, and likely are desperate. Sweat killed a sheriff's deputy, and Matt dismembered his former boss. Because of their violent pasts. officials want Vermonters to be ultra-vigilant.
"It is just amazing this is happening--how it has come to this," said Kaydell Davis of Grand Isle, Vermont.
Vermont State Police have pledged strong resource-sharing, boat and foot patrols, and aid in the form of personnel in case credible reports of possible sightings arise. Police want folks to watch for signs of trespassing at possible hiding places like barns, outbuildings or seasonal residences, and report them.
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Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, urged the public to absolutely not approach the escapees. Instead, they should call law enforcement if they believe they've spotted the killers.
Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line 1-800-GIVE-TIP.
