BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – An aggressive four-day search by law enforcement for an “armed and dangerous” suspect has ended. Fugitive Michael Burham has been captured in Berkeley County and taken into custody, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers heavily searched the Francis Marion National Forest in Huger after Burham was spotted in the area Tuesday morning. A Berkeley County sheriff’s deputy contacted Burham on Tuesday, but Burham ran, authorities said.
The search shifted to Charleston County after he was spotted in Awendaw later that night, according to the FBI.
SEE ALSO:
- ‘All Hands On Deck’: Federal, Local Law Enforcement Search For Fugitive in Berkeley County Forest
- Manhunt Underway in Huger For Wanted FBI Fugitive Michael Burham: BCSO
- FBI: Fugitive Michael Burham May Be Hitchhiking
The search once again returned to Berkeley County where Burham was ultimately apprehended.
On Wednesday, at approximately 3:30 pm, Berkeley County dispatch received a 911 call regarding a man on a homeowner’s property. Law enforcement responded to the scene and began to work off of that last reported sighting. Burham was taken into custody at approximately 5:17 pm.
“I am pleased that Burham was apprehended today. The Huger community can rest easy tonight knowing they are safe.” Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis stated. “I am exceptionally proud of the work that was done by everyone involved, their perseverance is what led to the capture of this fugitive. Working together with our local, state and federal partners helped us reach our goal. A special thank you to the FBI, SLED, US Marshals, SC PPP, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, SC DNR, North Charleston Police Department, Summerville Police Department, City of Charleston Police Department and Mount Pleasant Police Department. I am also thankful to every citizen that called into dispatch with tips.”
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office said it will continue to assist the FBI with this case.
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“The most effective weapon against crime is cooperation,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia division. “This matter was resolved quickly and peacefully because of the cooperation between the community who remained alert and law enforcement who persisted in their pursuit of this fugitive.”
“I am grateful to all the law enforcement agencies who came together and put in hundreds of hours of hard work to get a dangerous man out of our communities, said Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano. “We also thank the many residents throughout the Charleston region who served as extra eyes on the streets, submitting countless tips and sightings. We all came together, and our communities are safer tonight because of it.”
Burham, 34, had been on the run after a spree of alleged crimes, including a sexual assault in Jamestown, New York and the kidnapping of an elderly couple in Pennsylvania. The couple alleges Burham kidnapped them from their home, drove them in their vehicle to North Charleston and released them physically unharmed.
He is also a suspect in a homicide case that occurred May 11 in Jamestown, NY.
Burham has active warrants out of New York for rape and is a suspect in a homicide that occurred on May 11. The case recently received national attention on the television show “On Patrol: Live,” highlighting the manhunt for Burham.
A federal arrest warrant was issued Monday out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York for the unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Burham will be extradited to New York to face his charges.
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